The Clippers lost their final two games at the tournament in Quebec City, dropping a 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-20) decision to the host CEGEP Garneau Elans on Friday night before falling 3-2 (24-26, 25-23, 21-25, 25-14, 15-12) to the Red Deer Queens in the bronze medal semifinal Saturday morning.
Against Garneau, Clippers might have endured their first sweep loss of the season, but the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference champion showed plenty of heart in the process – as evidenced by the final set, where they at one point trailed 24-13 but reeled off seven straight points off the serve of Ashley Erickson before giving up the deciding point.
Rebecca Garner led the Clippers with 17 kills and 11 digs, while Reece Harder recorded eight kills, libero Kirsty Kindrachuk added 10 assists and 13 digs, setter Erickson finished with 35 assists.
The bronze medal semi ended up being a rematch of the ACAC final from two weeks ago, and the scores were just as close as they were back then – only this time, it was Red Deer finding the three-point win in the final set. With the game tied 12-12, a timely time-out would give Queens the momentum they needed, reeling off three straight points to close out the match.
Garner and Faith Buhler each had 11 kills, while Garner also picked up 10 digs. Kindrachuk added 15 digs, Erickson 38 assists. Mikayla Benterud also had five service aces in the contest.
Red Deer advanced to face London, Ont.’s Fanshawe College in the bronze medal final, while CEGEP Garneau is set to take on the Vancouver Island University Mariners for gold on Saturday evening.
