Friesen and Rempel to meet in Canada West volleyball championship

Braedon Friesen (right) PHOTO BY DENNIS CARTER

A pair of former teammates will be on opposite sides of the net on Saturday in the Canada West men’s volleyball championship match.

Swift Current’s Henry Rempel will suit up for the host Trinity Western Spartans, while Braedon Friesen will look to help the University of Alberta Golden Bears to the upset of the defending national champions.

The Spartans led Canada West with a 20-2 record, while the Golden Bears were second with an 18-4 mark.

The Spartans advanced to the championship match for an 11th straight year with a 2-1 victory over Brandon last weekend. The Golden Bears defeated UBC by a 2-1 match record as well.

Rempel is a 6’5’’ rookie outside hitter with the Spartans. He finished with 35 kills in 16 matches this season.

Friesen, a 6’7’’ outside attacker, has taken on a major role with the Golden Bears in his second season. He finished with 179 kills in 20 matches, third on the team. He was also second on the team with 19 service aces.

The two teams split the season series back in October when the Spartans took the opener 3-0 before the host Golden Bears won the second match 3-2.

Friesen and Rempel were major contributors when the Swift Current Comp. Colts ended an 18-year championship drought by winning 5A SHSAA Volleyball Provincials in 2017.