Briercrest Men’s Volleyball faced the Red Deer Kings for a rematch Saturday night. The first set began with Joel Rosewarn taking the serve. The Red Deer Kings  started the set playing extremely strong and jumping to a 3-2 lead. Briercrest took a eager timeout at 3-9 for Red Deer. Rosewarn and Jachin Karg gave hard blocks but the Kings remained in the lead 7-10. Briercrest battled with determination and not far behind at 10-15 for Red Deer. Calvin Sawatzky hit an amazing smash helping Briercrest with the Kings still in the lead 12-17. Briercrest took a timeout at 12-18 for Red Deer College. Red Deer, a strong competitor, stayed in the lead 15-23 nearing the end of the first set. The first set concluded 17-25 for Red Deer Kings.

Second set: Red Deer started off with the first couple of points and proves a tough team to face. Briercrest called a timeout at 1-9 for the Kings. Carter Reimer took the serve and the Kings forced it back 3-12. At 6-16 for Red Deer they continued to play with energy. Briercrest’s Josh Wendel gave a quick smash and gave a point to Briercrest. Briercrest came back stronger 10-17 for Red Deer. Briercrest pulled through with a great amount of effort but remained behind 12-22 for the Kings. A close game the remainder of the set Briercrest cut the lead to 17-24 before the second set ended 17-25 for Red Deer.

The third set began with Briercrest taking the first point and then several strong kills. Briercrest picked up in the game taking a 5-2 lead. Red Deer took a time out with a 7-2 Briercrest lead. Briercrest came back stronger and more energetic in the lead 9-4. Briercrest took a timeout at 10-8 and the Kings close behind. Red Deer the cut into the lead and then tied the score 11-11. Both teams scrimmaged and the scoreboard kept the pattern 14-14.   Red Deer finally took a 17-18 lead after both teams cut close to the end of the third set. Briercrest pulled forward 20-18 with the team attacking with their hits and solid blocks. Briercrest called a timeout at 21-22 for Red Deer. Keaton Strom tied up the score 22-22 after the timeout with a mighty hit. Red Deer responded to take a 26-25 lead and the won 27-25 for the 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 27-25) victory.

Josh Wendel took player of the game honours for Briercrest with great force contributing a team high eight kills, to go with six digs, one assist and one block. Other team highs were carter Reimer with 25 assists and a game high two service aces, and Zac Ens with 11 digs and a game high three blocks.

Red Deer won in almost every area: 48-31 kills, 46-28 assists, and 51-47 digs. Each team had four service aces and Briercrest held the advantage in blocks 6-4.

Briercrest next plays Ambrose University College in Calgary Friday, Oct. 31. If you can’t make it to the next 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.