LCI Clippers capture first ever 4A volleyball provincial banner

By Lethbridge Herald on November 25, 2024.

The LCI Clippers celebrate their 4A Girls volleyball provincial championship over the Lindsay Thurber Raiders on Saturday at the Val Matteotti Gymnasium at Lethbridge Polytechnic. Herald photo by Justin Seward

Justin Seward – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – sports@lethbridgeherald.com

A third time was a charm for the LCI Clippers varsity girls volleyball team against the Lindsay Thurber Raiders when the game counted the most in the provincial championship over the weekend.

The No.7 ranked Clippers, who hadn’t beaten the No. 1 ranked Raiders in two previous meetings this season, swept them in three sets (26-24, 25-17, 25-21) to win the team’s first ever 4A provincial volleyball championship banner at Lethbridge Polytechnic on Saturday night.

“Words can’t describe it,” said an emotional Clippers head coach Derek Usman.

“We put it all together when it mattered and these guys just didn’t want to lose.”

Usman was surprised at the result in the final.

“I thought it was going to go the distance but everyone stepped up huge,” said Usman.

The coaches preached to the team to relax when things might have not been going their way throughout the tournament.

“We had to relax and we had the mentality of the score was always 0-0 and then that’s how we approached every game,” said Usman.

Hayden Hagel said it does not feel real.

“I don’t even know what’s happening right now, it’s all a blur to be honest,” said Hagel.

Hagel thought the consistency was there all match long.

“We had such good defence, our offence was literally insane and we kept our cool,” said Hagel.

“The atmosphere throughout the whole game is just one I’ll never forget and I wouldn’t want to win with any other girls than the girls on my team,” said Mishynn Miller.

Miller spoke about how the win put a stamp on this season for the Clippers.

“LCI has never won a 4A girls volleyball provincial championship and I think that just speaks (for) itself and volumes, knowing our coaches had our back (and) knowing our teammates were there for us,” said Miller.

“Just going out how we did was insane and very memorable.”

LCI defeated Western Canada in the quarterfinals before defeating William Aberhart in the semifinals in the lead up to the final after going 2-1 in round robin play.