Barthel and Queens sweep Lions at RDC

Brent Forster - RDC

In a weekend rematch, the Red Deer College Queens Volleyball team hosted the Ambrose University Lions on Saturday evening, and the Queens played consistently and mixed up their offence as they swept the Lions in straight sets.

It was a packed RDC Main Gym and the enthusiastic crowd cheered on many digs and exciting plays from both teams. The RDC Queens varied their offensive attack in the opening set to keep the Ambrose University Lions on their heels. After the first set was tied 6-6, the Queens experienced a high rate of success from the left-side. Both Miranda Dawe and Katrina Dawe picked up kills to put RDC on a 10-4 run and take a 16-10 lead. Later in the set, Queens setter Chanelle Kayser utilized McKenna Barthel on the right-side more frequently, along with Hanna Delemont, and the Queens earned a 25-12 victory.

The RDC Queens served effectively in the second set and put pressure on the Lions' defence. Hanna Delemont and Jade Van Dyke picked up service aces. Barthel was once again strong from the right-side and contributed several kills. After a Barthel kill put the Queens up 11-10, RDC went on a 14-3 run to win 25-13 and go up 2 sets.

In the third set, the Queens continued to put pressure on the Lions. After RDC jumped out to a 15-10 lead, Colin Kubinec, head coach of the Lions, called a time-out. Eventually, the Queens picked up a 25-19 victory off a Miranda Dawe kill and claimed the match in straight sets.

RDC Queens Volleyball Head Coach Chris Wandler was satisfied with the effort and result. "We were pretty smooth tonight. We've been waiting for that kind of match to come along since the Briercrest weekend," said Wandler. "It's been a bit of an up and down first half of the season for us. We've been dealing with things that we need to get settled - system wise and get everyone on the same page. Tonight there was indication that we did that."

The Queens were effective from the service line. "We served with a lot more purpose tonight. We didn't give them much time to react to the ball," said Wandler. "In our philosophy of trying to possess the ball, we like to put pressure on teams. It helps that we also have a good libero and that we are a solid blocking team." As a team, the RDC Queens accumulated 6 service aces.

Setter Chanelle Kayser ran an effective game. "Chanelle has been doing a decent job of trying use our offensive tools effectively without trying to use our big guns too often," said Wandler. "I was happy with how she ran the offence." Kayser recorded 28 assists, 2 service aces and 2 digs for the Queens.

McKenna Barthel was named the player-of-the-game for the RDC Queens while Ali Leskow earned the honour for the Lions. Barthel, a Business Admistration (Human Resources) student, finished with 9 kills and 6 digs. Leskow totaled 5 kills, 1 assist, 2 digs and 2 stuff blocks for the Lions.

The RDC Queens (7-3) will compete against the SAIT Trojans (4-4) on Friday, November 24 at 6:00 p.m. in Calgary. On Saturday, the Queens will host the Trojans at 6:00 p.m. in the RDC Main Gym.