Graham and Kings drop Broncos in straight sets

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB – The Red Deer College Kings had many consistent contributors Friday evening. Led by outside hitter Jonathan (JJ) Graham, the Kings downed the visiting Olds College Broncos in three sets (25-14, 25-19 and 25-17) at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

"I thought everybody did a good job," says Keith Hansen Kings Interim Head Coach. "We maintained our level, for the most part." 

The Kings used both setters. Thomas Wass (22 assists) and Brett Theise (six assists) spread out the offence. Five Kings finished with six or more kills. Dillon Gauci, Mark DeWit and Ben Holmes contributed seven kills each. 

Gauci (18), Graham (12) and Wass (3)

"Ben stabilizes our lineup a lot. He's very skilled and he is a vet," says Hansen. "He's a fourth-year and he understands the game really well."

The Broncos were without one of their offensive weapons.

"They have a pretty key injury over there. The one guy who is hurt has hit just about 50 per cent of their balls for them," says Hansen. "I think they were missing him a little bit on some of the transition balls."

Thundersky Walkingbear leads the Broncos with 2.62 kills per set and he has a total of 34 over four matches.

Hansen liked several areas of the Kings' game. 

"We were a lot more consistent. Our reception was good," says Hansen. "I thought we did a good job moving it around and our sideout game was pretty good, which allowed us to score points off of serving."

The RDC Kings recorded ten service aces with Ben Holmes contributing half. The Olds College Broncos finished with a pair.

Jonathan (JJ) Graham was named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Kings Player-of-the-Game. Along with his eight kills, the second-year Business Administration student added one assist and one dig. Ryzen Walkingbear received the honour for the Broncos, contributing eight kills and two digs.

JJ Graham (12)

First-year Carter Hills totaled six kills, four aces, three digs, one stuff and assist, and has been pushing his teammates for more playing time. 

"Carter is doing good. I think we are getting some battles among guys, which is good," says Hansen. "You want to have that positive competition between players and that will just make us better and better."

Carter Hills (4)

The RDC Kings (5-1) will compete against the Rattlers (1-5) in Medicine Hat on Nov. 15 and 16.