LETHBRIDGE, Alta. - The #1 seeded NAIT Ooks fell to the #4 Briercrest Clippers 3-1 in the opening game of the ACAC Men's Volleyball Championship on Thursday afternoon, ending their chances of earning ACAC gold or a trip to the CCAA National Championship.

The Ooks looked to be in control after they convincingly cruised to a 25-20 first set victory. The Clippers, however, responded with a bang. Led by dominant attacking by Bryton Codd, the Ooks found themselves in a hole after dropping the second set 25-18, and then the third set 25-11. NAIT head coach Greg Gulash was unable to rally the troops, as the Ooks would drop the fourth set 25-20 losing the match. 

"Our guys never went away, it's a team that very much plays for each other," said Ooks head coach Greg Gulash. "They're a team that likes to wear their heart on their sleeve and go to battle for each other all the time. It's a good group of guys that win or lose, they're in it, and they're going to give you everything they have, and that's what they brought." 

The Ooks will now head to the consolation bracket where they will take on a familiar foe in the King's University Eagles at 1:00 pm tomorrow.