Volleyball Queens win in season opener

Friday, the Red Deer College Queens Volleyball team opened up the 2016-2017 season in Calgary against the SAIT Trojans on a winning note. The RDC Queens won the opening match of the new season three sets to two.

In the opening set the Queens started on the right foot defeating the SAIT Trojans 25-19. The Trojans began the second set with five straight points and eventually took the set 25-18.

In the third set the Queens began with three straight points including a service ace from Brittney Davis. SAIT tried to battle back but Miranda Dawe kept the Queens on top 7-6 with her tenth kill of the match. The quick start by RDC proved to be too large as the Trojans could not close the gap. The SAIT Trojans Head Coach Art O'Dwyer called a time-out when RDC led 22-18 but it didn't halt the Queens momentum. The RDC Queens won the third set 25-19 to take a two set to one lead.

With not much separating either team in the fourth set, the score remained close throughout. In the early going the set was tied 5-5. Each side played hard with neither team able to take a significant lead. The Trojans eventually edged the Queens 25-23 to tie it up at two sets.

In the fifth and final set the experience, calm demeanor and talent of the Queens took over. RDC got off to a good start in the last set and maintained their focus throughout. Chanelle Kayser of the Queens had two service aces in a row late in the deciding set to extend the Queens lead 14-8. Eventually the Queens won 15-10, taking the match three sets to two.

The Queens Head Coach Chris Wandler was happy to pick up a road victory with a key player out of the lineup.

"It was nice to pick up a win in our first match of the year," said Wandler. "Mckenna Barthel couldn't play with an injured finger and Brittney Davis filled in well."

In his first regular season game as the Head Coach, Wandler saw many positive things.

"We defended well tonight, made some key blocks and showed a lot of grittiness," said Wandler. "We made great second contact and some nice plays out of system."

Miranda Dawe, a Kinesiology and Sport Studies student, was named the Red Deer College Queens player-of-the-game. Dawe finished with two service aces, nineteen kills and twenty-six digs.

Wandler offered praise for the Grande Prairie native.

"Miranda finished with nineteen kills, was one of our most consistent passers and played solid defensively," said Wandler. "Her strong play seemed to give our entire team a spark."

The same two teams face each other in a rematch Saturday, Oct. 15 at the RDC Main Gym at 6:00 p.m.