Despite a 3-1 loss for the Briercrest men’s volleyball team, winning one set was a victory in and of itself as Red Deer had only lost one set previously this season. Briercrest challenged the number one ranked Kings in four sets, 15-25, 23-25, 15-23, 25-14. 

The first set opened with a huge block by Carter Reimer, shutting down Red Deer access. The teams rallied back and forth for the first few points, tying it up at 7-7. Red Deer continually shut down Briercrest attacks and they pulled away. Because of unforced errors, Briercrest suffered a 15-25 deficit in the first set.

The second set was hard fought, the lead exchanging hands until 8-8. Red Deer distanced themselves in front of Briercrest 14-10 and that remained the case until 20-16. Briercrest worked to close the gap, Josh Wendel being a key attacker at the net, Briercrest coming short 23-24, with Red Deer to claim the final point taking the set 25-23.

The third set was a fight for Briercrest to stay in the game, a game of cat and mouse being played in an effort to catch one another.  Down 12-18, Briercrest began gaining on Red Deer. Down 15-19 Josh Wendel served the Clippers to close in 18-20. Excitement was palpable in the air as Jonah Johnson came in at 21-22 to serve. His ace was a highlight and Steve Guenther responded with a kill. Briercrest was handed the remaining point, winning the set 25-23 and handing the Kings their 2nd lost set of the season.

Red Deer opened with an early lead, 7-2 in the fourth set. Cody Quiring shot a heavy ball, shanking it off the Red Deer player into the hanger. Briercrest came as close as 9-10, but from there Red Deer was unstoppable as they charged toward the finish line, 25-14.

Players of the game were Tim Finnigan of the Red Deer Kings with one block, four aces, 11 digs and 18 kills, and Brad Harms of Briercrest with three blocks, three digs and three kills.

Red Deer had 52 kills while Briercrest had 36. Red Deer had ten aces while Briercrest had seven. Red Deer had seven blocks while Briercrest had three.

Briercrest plays Red Deer again tomorrow afternoon, January 25 at 3:00pm in the Margaret P. Reimer Memorial Gymnasium.