Red Deer Polytechnic Kings power past visiting Rattlers in complete game

Brent Forster – Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics

Red Deer, AB – A fast start from the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings set the tone against the Medicine Hat College Rattlers. 

With one of their most complete performances of the season, the RDP Kings downed the visiting Ratters in three sets (25-12, 25-14, and 25-14).

With Maddux Greves at the service line, the Kings jumped out to a 9-2 edge in the opening set. Along with a pair of service aces from the fourth-year setter, outside hitter Patrik Toze quickly racked up three kills. At that stage, the Kings' offence was hitting for 100 per cent efficiency. Greves spread out the offence to middles Cody Boulding and Dillon Gauci and the home team solidified a 25-12 win.

"The last couple of weekends, we haven't come out of the gates very fast, so it was nice to see the boys coming out guns ablazing and not only look after the serve, but the attack efficiency as well," said Aaron Schulha, Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Volleyball Head Coach. "We are a team that can live and die by our first contacts. I thought our guys did a good job of staying focused and in rhythm, which was hard to do when they were missing serves." 

In a back and forth start to the second set, a kill from the Rattlers' outside hitter Jovan Stepanovich evened it 7-7. Then eventually the Kings started to gain ground and middle Cody Boulding pushed the Kings up by four (18-14) with his sixth kill. The home team expanded its lead and wrapped up a 25-14 decision.

"I thought we dropped our level for the first half of the second set," explained Schulha. "I think it was 11-11 before we pulled away and we have to nip that in the bud."

Brett Lower's sixth kill lifted RDP ahead by six points (14-8) in the third set. Midway through the frame, Jovan Stepanovich and Nathan Chernik had six kills apiece, trying to bring the Rattlers back, but the Kings were able to seal a 25-14 victory.

"It was one of our most complete matches of the year so far and a lot of guys did some good things. I thought Brett Lower struggled a little bit attacking wise early on - his efficiency wasn't very high - but then was looking after the rest of his game," said Schulha of the first-year who finished with eight kills. "Then his attacking came along. He ended up hitting 45 per cent - I think he was in the negative for a bit there."

Prince George's Cody Boulding, a Bachelor of Kinesiology student, was named the North Star Sports Kings Player of the Game.

Boulding (7)

"It was nice to see Cody get the recognition as Player of the Game. Middles don't typically get that recognition, but going eight-for-eight on the stat line with three blocks, it's a near perfect game. We will take it anytime we can get it," said Schulha. "We were able to get some subs in at the end and I thought those guys did a good job. It was a good all around match. We will take a pretty dominant three set win anytime we can get it." 

First-year Evan Ockerman was one of those student-athletes who came off the bench. The Bachelor of Science student contributed an ace and assist. 

Toze (11)

Outside hitter Patrik Toze added seven kills and one dig for the Kings. Maddux Greves had 27 assists, three kills, two digs, one stuff block and three of the Polytechnic's six service aces. Reece Lehman tacked on six kills. Libero Jonathan (JJ) Graham had four digs and two assists. 

"Maddux is doing a really good job. From a leadership perspective, he seems to do everything right on the floor. His volleyball IQ is very high. He defends well, works hard, communicates well, great server - all those things," said Schulha.

"Exactly what you want from one of your team leaders. Maddux is finding the guys at the right times and Pat had another solid match. Reece was solid too. JJ does a good job. He tweaked his thumb a little bit during warmup so I expect him to be better on Sunday." 

Jovan Stepanovich received top honours for the Rattlers, totaling six kills. Josh Penner picked up Medicine Hat's lone service ace. Setter Mitchell Beaupre contributed 18 assists and two digs.

On Sunday, November 28, the undefeated Red Deer Polytechnic Kings (5-0) will face the Rattlers (0-3) in Medicine Hat at 2 pm.

"They are getting renovations done at their college gym so they are in a multiplex with shorter courts in the back. We will see if guys can go full out spin serves or may have to modify it with a two step approach or even a float serve," said Schulha.

"The rest of our game will have to be that much better because we might not be able to rely as much on our serving game. If we keep the level similar to what it was tonight, then the rest of the game should look after itself."