Rempel dazzles in Neelin debut

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Sam Rempel didn’t even know what a 51 was before joining the Neelin Spartans this fall.

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Sam Rempel didn’t even know what a 51 was before joining the Neelin Spartans this fall.

It’s the most basic offensive play a middle runs in volleyball. It’s one that most players learn from the start, not at the start of Grade 12.

But boy did Rempel catch on quickly. The Edmonton product racked up 10 kills in his Spartans debut on Wednesday, a four-set victory over the Vincent Massey Vikings to open the Brandon High School Volleyball League.

Sam Rempel posted 10 kills in his first-ever match for the Neelin Spartans varsity boys' volleyball team on Wednesday, a 3-1 win over the Vincent Massey Vikings. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Sam Rempel posted 10 kills in his first-ever match for the Neelin Spartans varsity boys' volleyball team on Wednesday, a 3-1 win over the Vincent Massey Vikings. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

“Honestly, it was a lot different than what I’m used to,” said Rempel, who attended a small, Catholic, French immersion school called J.H. Picard, which competes in Alberta’s fifth tier of high school athletics.

“We would just set high middle balls the entire time.

“The past couple of weeks practising here, it was a big shift in pace, and I like it a lot more. I’ve adjusted, I would say, decently, and it’s been a fun experience.”

Rempel has plenty of family in Westman, so he wasn’t going into the big move blind. He’s living with his mother in Rivers but doesn’t mind the daily 42-kilometre drive — “it’s worth it for this school.”

He has also known teammate Case Ashcroft for years and got the rundown on Neelin’s history before walking into the gymnasium to see the wall-to-wall rows of provincial championship banners, including the one his team is trying to defend this year.

It’s almost an entirely new varsity squad, though, with captain Lucas Gamache the only starter back from the 2024 team.

Seven of the 10 Spartans won AAA JV provincials last year and are looking to prove they aren’t just trying to build for next year.

They were admittedly thin in the middle before Rempel fell into their lap. Head coach Jake Thomson was pleasantly surprised to hear about the transfer.

“A gift from the sky,” Thomson said. “I have nothing but amazing things to say about this kid.

“He comes into practice every day with a huge smile and crazy willingness to learn. It’s actually insane to see how quickly he’s developed in three weeks for never having played competitive, organized volleyball.

“I can’t wait to see him at the end of November.”

Sam Rempel, centre, celebrates a point with setter Aiden Moore (6) and Lucas Gamache. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)
Sam Rempel, centre, celebrates a point with setter Aiden Moore (6) and Lucas Gamache. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Rempel definitely wasn’t eased into action. The six-foot-six middle blocker immediately took the spotlight on Wednesday when setter Aiden Moore went to him to bring up set point in the first set, then again to put it away.

Down the stretch in the fourth, Rempel calmly planted kills on two of Neelin’s last five points. He was quick to share the credit.

“It’s awesome to have a good setter like Aiden. He always just believes in everyone. He doesn’t care if it’s a bad hit, he always just trusts his teammates and it’s amazing to have him on the team,” Rempel said.

“It’s an honour to get set in such a big scenario and such a close game as well. Especially since this is a known rivalry at this school, it was amazing for me to get that opportunity.”

Gamache had a team-high 12 kills and three aces, while Moore recorded 28 assists.

Griffin Zilkey led all hitters with 19 kills, while Nikos Tellidis added 14 for the Vikings, with setter Sam Redekop posting 52 assists and four aces.

The next opportunity for more or less all the Westman boys’ teams starts today as the Brandon University Bobcats’ annual tournament begins at the Healthy Living Centre.

Neelin begins the 31-team event on the HLC Main court at 9:30 a.m., against Gladstone’s William Morton Collegiate.

The Spartans face the Wawanesa Warriors at 12:50 p.m., then take on the Fort Richmond Centurions at 4:10 p.m.

Massey plays on the HLC South court at the same times against Souris, Alonsa, and Estevan, Sask.

Sam Redekop posted 52 assists in Massey's four-set loss. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Sam Redekop posted 52 assists in Massey's four-set loss. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Crocus Plains does as well, on the Henry Champ South court against Melita, Elton, and Garden Valley.

The round of 16 matches are today at 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.

“We have a smaller team but that means I can just trust anyone from player one to player 10 on the team. I love the BU tournament for the fact that we’re playing all rural teams from across Westman and you just see so many different levels of volleyball,” Thomson said.

“For us as a AAA school, that AAA competition is something we need to see early to start prepping for later in November.”

Saturday’s quarterfinals are at 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., with the semifinals at 5:30 and the gold-medal match at 8:30.

» tfriesen@brandonsun.com

» Instagram: @thomasfriesen5

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