RDP Queens take four set decision over Briercrest College Clippers
Brent Forster – Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics
Red Deer, AB – The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens rode the hot hand of outside hitter Tess Pearman and downed the visiting Briercrest College Clippers in four sets (25-20, 25-23, 15-25, and 25-15).
With the top two teams in the south facing each other, it was no surprise that the quality of volleyball was at a high level.
The home team held only a one point edge (21-20) late in the stanza. RDP setter Emma Letkeman found outside hitters Tess Pearman, Anna Carlson, and Jaidyn Ferguson (seven kills) in the latter stages to help the Queens pull ahead. Ponoka's Tess Pearman eventually capped off the opening set 25-20 with a service ace. Red Deer's Kaylee Domoney recorded 10 digs in the opening set.
The Clippers employed a balanced offence. Julia Beer, Faith Buhler and Kelsey Wiebe contributed two kills each in the set.
The second set was even (23-23) until a Clippers' attack error and block from Sylvan Lake's Anna Carlson sealed it 25-23.
Letkeman found Tess Pearman (nine kills) more in the second set and the Bachelor of Education Elementary student played with efficiency from the left (0.533 hitting percentage).
Briercrest's Reece Sorensen received more volume and had five kills over two sets for Briercrest. Wiebe bumped up her contributions to five kills.
Once the Clippers jumped out to a lead in the third set, they couldn't be caught. Julia Beer's 11 kills over three sets helped propel the visitors to a 25-15 decision.
Tess Pearman put the Queens ahead 17-9 in the fourth set. An ace from Jessica Zacharias kept the Clippers within eight (14-22). Eventually, Tess Pearman's 16th kill capped off the set 25-15 and the match.
Tess Pearman was named the North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game, totaling 16 kills, 11 digs, three assists, one ace and one block. Clippers libero Savanna Boot picked up the recognition for the visitors, contributing 17 digs and three assists.
Jaiden Ferguson had 12 kills, seven digs, two blocks and two aces. Libero Kaylee Domoney finished with 14 digs.
On Saturday, January 29, the first place Queens (11-0) will play the Clippers (5-2) at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre at 1 pm.