Solid net play helps Kings sweep Lions

Brent Forster- RDC

While the location of the match changed from Saturday, the result was the same at RDC Sunday evening. Once again, the Red Deer College Kings Volleyball team defeated the Ambrose University Lions in three sets (25-16, 25-22 and 25-19).

RDC had many student-athletes contribute offensively and defensively. 

Steven Keating totaled 9 kills, 9 digs and 2 stuff blocks. Ben Holmes had 8 kills, 6 digs and 1 service ace. Evan Parchomchuk recorded 5 kills, 8 digs, 1 service ace and 1 stuff block. Ben Hankins picked up 4 kills and Adam Turlejski added 3. 

The Kings had some good performances at the net and as a team they accumulated 10 stuff blocks. Ben Hankins and Adam Turlejski contributed 3 each.

Adrian Strandberg totaled 6 kills, 7 digs, 3 service aces and 1 stuff block for the Lions.

Thomas Wass was named the player-of-the-game for the Kings. The setter from Adelaide, Australia finished with 22 assists, 13 digs, 2 kills and 1 stuff block. 

Kings Volleyball Head Coach Aaron Schulha noted several key contributions. "Thomas Wass did a pretty solid job and Ben Holmes did a decent job offensively tonight," said Schulha. "Steven Keating and our middles shut the Lions down with some solid blocking at times."

Schulha saw moments of decent play in the match but would like to see his team elevate their game next weekend. "We played okay at times but we didn't play a very disciplined game with sustained stretches of quality play," said Schulha. "Ambrose University served much tougher tonight and our serve-receive looked out of whack at times. We will have to be much better next weekend versus Medicine Hat."

The playoff picture in men's volleyball is still unclear and next weekend will feature many crucial matches. From the south, the first place SAIT Trojans (20-4) and host Medicine Hat College Rattlers (13-9) have already qualified for the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Men's Volleyball Championship, February 22 to 24 in Medicine Hat. The Briercrest College Clippers (14-8), RDC Kings (13-9) and Lethbridge College Kodiaks (14-8) are vying for the final two spots. From the north, the Keyano College Huskies (21-3) and NAIT Ooks (17-5) have locked up postseason berths. The King's University Eagles (10-12), Concordia University Thunder (10-12) and the University of Alberta Augustana Vikings (10-12) are battling it out for the final two spots among northern teams.

The RDC Kings (13-9) will host the Medicine Hat College Rattlers (13-9) in a pair of important matches next weekend. Friday, February 16, the Kings and Rattlers will hit the RDC court at 8:00 p.m. On Saturday, the same teams will compete at 3:00 p.m.