February 22, 2024 - The Ambrose University Lions shook off the effects of a slow start and got stronger as the match went on in posting a 3-0 straight-sets victory over the Keyano College Huskies in the first round of the ACAC Women's Volleyball Championships Thursday at Lethbridge College.
The Lions trailed 23-20 late in the opening set before rallying for a 26-24 win. Keyano also held a 13-12 lead midway through the second set before Ambrose again recovered to win 25-23.
"I think there was some nerves at the beginning," Ambrose head coach Barry Heidebrecht said of his squad. "We had to settle down. They (Keyano) came out very strong but once we settled in and started playing our game, we started feeling pretty comfortable."
Heidebrecht said some early adjustments helped the Lions get things on track.
"We made a couple of defensive adjustments. They were exposing us and the players weren't adapting." The adjustments, he added, "seemed to settle them down."
The Lions rolled to a 25-15 win in the clinching set.
"For sure, we were getting stronger as it went on," said Heidebrecht, noting the team has stressed all season the need to play with confidence.
"Errors are going to occur. It's a matter of how you recover. I felt our recovery skills were getting better. We were making less errors."
Heidebrecht noted that while Keyano ranked fourth in the North with a 7-12 record, compared to the Lions' 15-4, good for first in the South, the Huskies had defeated Ambrose when the Lions visited Fort McMurray during the season.
Heidebrecht agreed that middle blocker Willow Lewington (fifth year, Biology, Calgary), the ACAC's South Player of the Year, is a key cog, but added, "We feel we don't rely on one player. We've designed the team to be really balanced."
All-Conference outside hitter Elise Wagner (third year, Biology, Delta, B.C.), named the Player of the Game for Ambrose, led the team with nine kills and 43 total attempts. Gracee Fehr (third year, Behavioral Science, Calgary) chipped in with eight kills while Christina Bett (third year, Psychology, Calgary) and Rachel Barg (third year, Biology, Calgary) led the Lions with 12 digs apiece.
Fifth-year outside hitter Megan Polant from Surrey, B.C. was the Player of the Game for Keyano, leading the team with 17 kills and 42 total attempts while also contributing six digs. Karlene Kaminski (third year, outside hitter, Regina) added seven kills while leading the Huskies with 16 digs. Raisa Stokes (fifth year, setter, Fort McMurray) added 15 digs.
Players of the Game
Lions |#13 Elise Wagner
Huskies |#9Megan Polant
