RDC Kings drop Lions in four sets

Brent Forster - RDC with information from Ambrose Athletics

Calgary, AB - After dropping a close opening set (25-27), the Kings captured the next three sets (25-9, 25-21 and 26-24), winning the weekend series and earning four of a possible four points in the standings.

In the first set, the Kings took a late lead (23-20) after a kill from Mark DeWit. Shortly after, a kill from Ambrose University's Brayden Nowosad tied the set 23-23, and the teams went back and forth until points from Harry Rosewarn (10 kills, 2 blocks) and Graeson Bergen gave the Lions a 27-25 decision.

An early 8-3 Kings' lead turned into nothing short of RDC dominance in the second set, winning 25-9 in less than 20 minutes of play.

Thomas Wass (3) Colby Brochu Photography

The Kings came out swinging in the third, grabbing a healthy 5-0 lead before Ambrose brought it back to eventually tie the game 18-18. Regan Fathers (20 kills, 12 digs), currently the number one attacker in the league, looked unstoppable from the right and the Kings grabbed it 25-21.

The Lions and Kings continued to battle into the fourth set and Ambrose held a 19-16 lead after a few Bergen kills and a block. The Red Deer College Kings kicked their game into another gear after a time-out, going on a 7-1 run, putting themselves up 23-20. Ambrose, led by the serving of Mark Fountain (2 blocks, 1 ace), scored three quick points to tie the game 24-24. A point from Fathers and finally a block from Adam Turlejski (4 kills, 1 dig) ended the match in four sets to complete the weekend sweep.

Colby Brochu Photography

The Kings Player-of-the-Game was awarded to Mark DeWit. Graeson Bergen picked up the honour with 12 kills for the Lions.

"Mark DeWit played well, both on offence and defence," says Aaron Schulha, Kings Head Coach. "He had a tremendous attacking match with 14 kills on 16 attempts and also added three big stuff blocks." 

Setter Thomas Wass totaled 44 assists, 3 digs, 3 kills and 1 service ace. 

Ambrose battled hard and pushed the Kings. "We were resilient for the most part," says Schulha. "I thought that Ambrose played much tougher tonight and pushed us to execute late in sets. Our service game was poor with 22 missed serves and that is way too many."

After 12 matches, Schulha thinks it has been a decent first half of the season with room to grow. "We ended the first half of the season 8-4 which is ok considering the 0-3 start," says Schulha. "However, we obviously have a whole lot of work to do during the break in order to be a much tougher team to play against."

The Kings will be in action on Friday, December 28 at 3:00 p.m. in non-conference action against Limoilou, and will play two more matches at their Kings Christmas Tournament as a tune up for nationals. 

Their next conference play will be on Friday, January 4 against the Lions in Calgary at 8:00 p.m.