Women open their season strong
Friday night marked the start of the 2019-20 ACAC volleyball season and saw the Briercrest Clippers taking on the Red Deer Queens on home court.
Although Red Deer took the early lead in the women's first set, Briercrest quickly rallied together after fifth-year middle Elicia Wiebe left the court with an injury and tled the scoring up until the final points. Red Deer made a late push, forcing Briercrest to call a timeout, but in the end the Clippers took the set 26-24.
Not to be outdone, the Queens set the pace for the first 10 points, forcing Briercrest to call an early timeout and putting the Clippers on their heels. However, Briercrest was able to find some traction, and overcame a five-point deficit to tie the game at 10's before pulling ahead of the Queens for the rest of the set, claiming it 25-20.
Looking for the sweep, the Clippers took the early lead, but after intense back-and-forth action the game was tied, and the teams continued to swap points into the teens. However, Red Deer found their feet, and began to work on a lead that Briercrest was not able to overcome, capturing the set 25-20.
In the fourth and final set, Briercrest was in full control, taking the early lead and never surrendering it. The 2019 ACAC silver medalists were determined to finish the set quickly and defeated the Queens 25-13.
Making the presentation for the Player of the Game were Briercrest alumni Brooke Peterson and ACAC kills leader Sam Zacharias. Player of the Game for the Queens was #11 Emma Holmes, who recorded 9 kills, 6 digs, and 4 aces, and for Briercrest #12 Faith Buhler, with 10 kills, 4 aces, and 2 blocks. "So happy to be back with the team! Can't wait for the season ahead!" Buhler shared, excited after her team's home opener victory.