Well-rounded match pushes Queens over Rattlers

Brent Forster - RDC

Friday at RDC, the Red Deer College Queens competed against the Medicine Hat College Rattlers in their final weekend series of the regular season and the Queens played a well-rounded match with contributions from several student-athletes as they swept the Rattlers in straight sets.

Early in the first set, fifth-year setter Chanelle Kayser set the tone from the service line. The Bachelor of Science Nursing student put the Queens up by a pair in her first series from the line. RDC continued to apply pressure. About midway through the set, Megan Schmidt went on a serving run and extended the RDC lead to 15-8. Then McKenna Barthel picked up back-to-back points for the Queens. A kill from the right side and a stuff block gave the RDC Queens a 20-11 edge. Eventually the Queens won 25-16.

Medicine Hat College took an early lead in the second set but Red Deer College battled back. McKenna Barthel served up two aces and propelled the Queens up by 2 (8-6). RDC went on a 12-7 run and pulled ahead 20-13. Chanelle Kayser connected with Megan Schmidt for a kill down the middle that capped off that streak. The RDC Queens eventually took the second set 25-18 with a kill from Hanna Delemont.

The third set was tied on several occasions (5-5 and 11-11) then RDC picked up a pair of stuff blocks that gave them a 15-11 lead. Hanna Delemont, McKenna Barthel and Naomi Jardine were effective at the net. The Red Deer College Queens continued to execute and won 25-21.

Hanna Delemont was named the player-of-the-game for the RDC Queens. The Bachelor of Education student accumulated 5 kills, 2 assists, 3 digs and 1 stuff block. Rachel Stewart picked up the award for the Rattlers with 19 assists and 3 digs.

Queens Volleyball Head Coach Chris Wandler appreciated many aspects of his team's game. "I thought that we served the ball well tonight. We put them in a little bit of distress and then our transition volleyball was really good tonight," said Wandler. "Hanna Delemont was great in transition and Chanelle Kayser found her in some good spots which opened up some opportunities for our outside hitters. Naomi Jardine also played well tonight. It was a very effective game for us."

Naomi Jardine stacked up 9 kills, 9 digs and 1 stuff block. As a team, the RDC Queens recorded 8 service aces, 6 stuff blocks and 8 block assists.

"For the most part we were pretty good at the net," said Wandler. "We earned some good points."  

The Queens want to play consistent volleyball on Saturday in order to fine tune their game before the playoffs. "We are looking to play smooth. We want to make sure that the execution piece from the game plan is done to a tee and I thought that we did a good job of that tonight," said Wandler. "We want to play consistent with no major dips or lulls. We are using this weekend as a dress rehearsal for next weekend."

The second place Queens (17-6) will host the sixth place Rattlers (7-16) on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in a rematch.