The Queens Volleyball team battled back to beat the Clippers in their season opener

Caronport, SK, October 14, 2022 - The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens volleyball team came away with a 3-1 match victory over their South Division rivals, the Briercrest Clippers.

The Clippers would take the first set, but the Queens stormed back to take the next three sets and the match.

In the opening set of the 2022/2023 season for both teams, the Clippers and Queens were neck and neck right until the winning 25^th point. They exchanged service errors with one another and there was some rust to shake off from Briercrest as well as RDP with this being the first match of the season. However, both teams at times were attacking the ball very well. The Clippers were able to push through this rusty first set and take the game 25-23.

The Queens broke a 12-12 tie in the second set by going on a 6-1 run which caused the Clippers Head Coach to call a timeout. Briercrest were able to come within a few points of the Queens after the brief break, but the Clippers couldn't stop the strong offence from RDP. The Queens would take the second set 25-19 and would come even with the Saskatchewan team 1-1 in the match. Red Deer would finish off the second set with 12 kills.

The rust must have been shaken off for the RDP Queens volleyball squad as they would continue their offensive ways in the third set. The Queens would take a commanding 17-7 lead before the Clippers called their first timeout. Briercrest clawed back into the Queens lead making it very close at the end of the third game. The Red Deer women were able to push through and take the game 25-22. The Kings would lead two games to one after the third set, pushing the Clippers to a must win situation.

It was a much closer set between the Clippers and Queens in the fourth set. Both teams going on runs to stay very close with each other. Briercrest put up quite a fight to stay alive, but it was Red Deer who came away with a 25-23 set victory. The Queens would take the match 3-1.

Queens outside-hitter Jaiden Ferguson and Clippers setter Jess Zacharias were awarded the players of the game.

Ferguson led RDP with 11 kills and Zacharias finished off with 26 assists for the Briercrest.

Libero Frankie Santini had quite the match for her first ACAC game in a Queens uniform with 16 digs.

These two teams will face off tomorrow for a rematch at 1 pm.