In a battle for 1st, Queens defeat Trojans in 4 sets

Prior to tonight's game, the ACAC Women's Volleyball South Division featured a log-jam at the top. The Red Deer College Queens (13-3), SAIT Trojans (13-3) and Briercrest College Clippers (13-1) were all tied for 1st place with 26 points. Tonight's match between the Queens and Trojans proved to be significant in the standings. After the Trojans tied the match at 1 set a piece on their home court, the calm demeanour of the Queens took over and they won in 4 sets to jump over SAIT in the standings.

The 1st set was back-and-forth but the Queens picked up the 25-22 win. McKenna Barthel capped off the set for the Queens with a powerful kill and had a strong opening set. The Business Administration student contributed 6 kills and 1 dig.

In the 2nd set, not much separated the 2 teams. SAIT and RDC were tied 7-7, 14-14 and 21-21. The Trojans eventually took the 2nd set 25-21. Miranda Dawe had a 2 set total of 8 kills, 1 assist, 4 digs and 1 stuff block. For the Trojans, Megan Brennan totalled 7 kills over 2 sets.

The 3rd set was once again close but RDC came from behind to pull out the 27-25 victory. When the Queens trailed 22-18, Katrina Dawe helped lead a comeback with 2 service aces in a row to bring RDC within 2 points. This created momentum for the Queens as they pulled ahead 2 sets to 1 in the match. 

The 4th set was close in the early going (11-11) but then the RDC Queens jumped ahead for the 25-16 victory. For the Queens, Miranda Dawe contributed a match total of 17 kills, 1 assist, 1 service ace, 1 stuff block and 10 digs. Chanelle Kayser had 35 assists, 3 kills, 1 service ace and 13 digs for RDC. Megan Brennan led the SAIT Trojans with 15 kills.

Lauren Marshall was named the Queens player-of-the-game. The Bachelor of Education student finished with 5 assists and 22 digs.

Queens Head Coach Chris Wandler appreciated a full team effort tonight.

"It was a good test of our resiliency against a very good team. We competed as a group which we have been stressing our entire season," said Wandler. "Individually, we were good tonight but as a team we were better."

Several student-athletes made positive contributions to help the team pick up the road win.

"We made a few substitutions in the 3rd set and they did a fantastic job," said Wandler. "Katrina Dawe's serving and passing were lights out. Ashley (Fehr) stabilized the offence and McKenna Olson did her job and blocked SAIT's go-to-player Megan Brennan."

With the road victory, the Red Deer College Queens (14-3) improve to 28 points in the standings. Briercrest College also won this evening so both teams share 1st place in the ACAC Women's Volleyball South Division. SAIT sits in 2nd spot with 26 points.

In Red Deer, the Queens host the Trojans Saturday at 6:00 p.m. It should be another exciting match that means a lot to both squads in the standings.