The Briercrest men’s and women’s volleyball teams hosted Ambrose University on Friday for the last time this season. It was a bitter-sweet night for Briercrest as both teams won 3-1 but had to say goodbye to players who would be graduating. Janae Rapley, Sam Zacharias, and Taylor Klassen were honoured at the end of their games by their coaches.

The Briercrest women began the first set with lots of energy and earned the first point. Janae Rapley and Sam Zacharias, for Briercrest, wasted no time when it came to kills, both making solid ones for their team. Ambrose responded with blocks and used their talent to sneakily dip the ball over the net multiple times. The set ended with Briercrest taking it 25-15.

The second set moved fast as the kills kept coming in from Briercrest. Sam Zacharias, Becky Garner, and Elicia Wiebe were main contributors to the teams scoring in the set. The women finished with a clean 25-11.

Ambrose brought it back in the third set by being more aggressive in their kills and digs, as well as stronger in their blocks. The competition was tight and both teams kept the crowd on their toes as the kills and blocks stayed consistent. The rallying increased, and the teams found themselves tied 9-9 before Ambrose surpassed Briercrest and took the set 25-18 on an impressive ace made by Madeline Williscroft.

After an exciting and successful set for Ambrose, Briercrest came to the fourth set with a fresh determination. Briercrest’s Sam and Janae made non-stop kills and aces, showing their drive to win and bring their team up. Ambrose answered back with their own awesome kills, but it was Briercrest that took the last set and won the game 3-1. The Briercrest player of the game was #12 Sam Zacharias, and the Ambrose player of the game was #15 Jess Zacharias.

The men’s game kicked off with Ambrose taking the first point. The game began and stayed very close in points, with killer aces by Briercrest’s Javier Alvarez, and Ambrose’s Keaton Strom. Taylor Klassen and Levi Olsen for Briercrest made repeated kills, but Ambrose continued to excel and finished the set with 25-18.

The Briercrest men did not let the loss of the first set effect them and came to the second set with a new intensity. The set began with a point battle, but Briercrest quickly pulled into the lead because of the multiple kills by Javier Alvarez, Mitch Erickson, and Taylor Klassen. Ambrose fell behind and Briercrest took the set 25-16.

Ambrose started the third set off strong and scored the first point. Ambrose’s Brayden Nowosad, Harry Rosewarn, and Keaton Strom stood out on their team for their remarkable kills. Even with the heavy rallying, Briercrest maintained their lead and took the set 25-17.

The fourth set was marked by Briercrest’s Levi Olsen bringing fire to the court with three kills in a row. His teammate, Javier Alvarez, followed his example and crushed a kill immediately after. Ambrose battled hard and player Keaton Strom continued to fight for his team by making digs, kills and blocks. Still, the Briercrest men did not let up. Their aggressive plays and kills won the m the set 25-18, and the game 3-1. The Briercrest player of the game was #16 Levi Olsen, and the Ambrose player of the game was #6 Ryan Andres.

On Saturday, both the women and men completed their weekend sweep, defeating Ambrose 3-1 and 3-0 respectively. Player of the game for Ambrose, on the women's team was #8 Willow Lewington and for the men #15 Nolan Ens. Briercrest’s play of the game for the women was #15 Janae Rapley and graduating senior #3 Taylor Klassen for the men. Both teams are heading to playoffs this week, the women will be in Camrose, AB while the men head to Medicine Hat, AB. Don’t miss the action live on ACACtv starting this Thursday, February 22 and keep up-to-date with the games on our Facebook page Briercrest Athletics and Instagram Briercrestathletics.

Article by Ali McMaster