As the second weekend of regular ACAC women’s volleyball play is underway, Briercrest faced off against Red Deer College in the Margaret P. Reimer Memorial gymnasium. Both teams finished last season as provincial championship contenders, Briercrest finishing fourth in the province and Red Deer finishing first. Red Deer Queens additionally finishing with a national championship. Both teams are looking to compete and rank highly this season.

In the first set of the evening, we saw Briercrest get out to an early lead off the strong serve from Sam Zacharias. Due to some miscommunication on the side of Red Deer, as well as multiple service errors Briercrest was able to maintain their lead and pull the set out 25-15. Both teams seemed a little rusty o begin, and were looking to correct some unforced errors in the second set.

The second set: a back and forth set from the beginning, both team making service errors as well as a continued lack of communication. However, excellent defense from both teams contributed to an exciting and close set ultimately ending with Red Deer on top 30-28. The Queens were able to dig down and pull out some strong serving and defensive plays for the win.

Briercrest began the third set looking strong with excellent defense, hitting and serving. However, the Red Deer Queens were able to improve their passing, eliminate errors, and come back strong to take a lead around 16 points. From then they controlled the pace of the set and finished the set with a score of 25-21.

As in each set, Briercrest jumped out to an early lead of 7-2. However, the Red Deer Queens replied with seven straight points to take the lead, and they managed to stay in control for the remainder of the set. Service errors were a large part of the problem for Briercrest in this fourth set. Ultimately, Red Deer made fewer mistakes and was able to take the last set 25-18, and the game by a score of 3 sets to 1 (15-25, 30-28, 25-21, 25-19).

Players of the game this evening were Erin Anderson of Briercrest and Leah Koot of Red Deer. Congratulations to both athletes, playing exceptionally well and showing tremendous leadership.

Anderson had an overall balance game with six kills, one assist, one service ace and eight digs. Other Briercrest leaders were Sam Zacharias with a game high 16 kills and a team high 13 digs, Amanda Lundquist with a game high 34 assists, Whitney Zylstra with a game high three service aces and three blocks.

Briercrest led Red Deer in almost all stats; 45-38-24 kills, 40-33 assists, and 10-3 blocks. Each team had 10 service aces and Red Deer led in digs 66-58.

Briercrest and the Queens play again tomorrow afternoon at 1pm central time here in the hangar.

If you can’t make it to the Margaret P. Reimer Memorial Gymnasium for tomorrow’s game be sure to watch online at acac.tv.

For up to date information on the Briercrest volleyball team, “like” the Briercrest Volleyball facebook page.