Pearman helps power undefeated RDP Queens past Clippers

Brent Forster – Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics

Red Deer, AB – Once Red Deer Polytechnic Queens setter Emma Letkeman and outside hitter Tess Pearman got into a groove, it was challenging for the Briercrest Clippers to slow down that offensive production.

Pearman recorded a match high 16 kills and the Queens downed the visitors in four sets (25-20, 25-23, 15-25, and 25-15).

"Emma started to find Tess in better situations and got into a rhythm," said Chris Wandler, Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Volleyball Interim Head Coach. "Once you find that connection, you don't want to go away from it."

The home team held only a one point edge (21-20) late in the first set. RDP setter Letkeman found outside hitters Pearman, Anna Carlson, and Jaiden Ferguson (seven kills) in the latter stages of the stanza to help the Queens pull ahead.

"Jaiden is finding the open court. She is coming back off of isolation due to COVID-19 protocols, so she's had a couple of practice sessions," said Wandler. "For not playing in the last 10 or 11 days, she had a really good match." 

Ponoka's Pearman eventually capped off the opening set 25-20 with a service ace. Red Deer's Kaylee Domoney was rock solid defensively, recording 10 digs in the set.

"What can you say about Domoney? She takes control of the backcourt," praised Wandler. "She digs with control. Our transition game was better because of it."

Ferguson (9)

The second set was even (23-23) until a Clippers' attack error and block from Sylvan Lake's Carlson sealed it 25-23.

Letkeman found Pearman (nine kills) more often in the second set and the Bachelor of Education Elementary student played with effectiveness and efficiency from the left (0.533 hitting percentage).

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.

"It's kind of one of those things where after the second set, we are up by two and I wasn't too sure if it was relaxation on our part, or an over overthinking piece," explained Wandler. 

Pearman put the Queens ahead 17-9 in the fourth set. An ace from Jessica Zacharias kept the Clippers within eight (14-22), but that was as close as the visitors got. Pearman finished it 25-15.

"We found the championship mindset early and seemed to find it back in the fourth set, which was important," explained Wandler. "We started to roll with it in the fourth."

Pearman was named the North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game, totaling 16 kills, 11 digs, three assists, one ace and one block.

"When Tess is on fire, she plays very well," said Wandler. "A great presence at the net."

Clippers libero Savanna Boot picked up the recognition for the visitors, contributing 17 digs and three assists.

Ferguson had 12 kills, seven digs, two blocks and two aces. Domoney finished with 14 digs. Carlson chipped in with 10 kills. Letkeman (34 assists) had three of the Queens' nine aces.

The Clippers finished with five service aces.

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.