Dawe a force as Queens defeat Lions in Calgary

Brent Forster - RDC

The RDC Volleyball Queens didn't have the start they wanted Friday evening against the Ambrose University Lions, but once they made a few adjustments and played to their capabilities they couldn't be beaten. After the Lions took the first set, the Queens elevated their play and won the next three sets in Calgary to claim the match.

The opening set was a see-saw battle and was tied on several occasions (3-3, 10-10 and 15-15). After the teams were tied 15-15, the Lions went on a 10-6 run and picked up a 25-21 win. The Queens responded well in the second set and took control early. The RDC Queens went up 14-6 off a Miranda Dawe kill and eventually earned a resounding 25-12 victory. RDC opened the third set on a 6-2 run and picked up a 25-19 win. In the fourth set, the Queens captured a 5-0 lead and ultimately sealed a 25-21 victory to take the match in four sets.   

Miranda Dawe was named the player-of-the-game for the RDC Queens. "Miranda was consistent once again tonight," said Chris Wandler, head coach of the RDC Queens. The Kinesiology & Sport Studies student from Grande Prairie contributed 16 kills and 12 digs.

Fourth-year student-athlete, McKenna Barthel totaled 5 kills, 3 service aces, 16 digs and 3 stuff blocks from the right-side. Libero Kaylee Domoney accumulated 20 digs and 2 assists for the Queens. Setter Chanelle Kayser led RDC with 33 assists. As a team, the RDC Queens finished with 7 service aces and put more pressure on the Lions' defence as the match progressed. 

"We made a couple of defensive adjustments and we saw an increased effort after the first set. Katrina Dawe and Hanna Delemont did a great job in providing some much needed energy to the group," said Wandler. "Once we got that under control, we had more confidence in executing off our digs and we started to activate our middle attack." 

The RDC Queens (6-3) will host the Ambrose University Lions (2-5) on Saturday, November 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the RDC Main Gym.