Queens earn ACAC bronze, sweep Eagles

Brent Forster - RDC

Saturday afternoon, the Red Deer College Queens Volleyball team competed against The King's University Eagles at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women's Volleyball Championship and after the Queens took control early they never looked back as they captured ACAC bronze in straight sets. 

Queens Volleyball Head Coach Chris Wandler had the RDC Queens ready to compete in Camrose and they jumped out to an early lead in the opening set. A service ace from Naomi Jardine propelled the Queens ahead 12-7. Then RDC went on a 5-1 run which was complete with a stuff block from Hanna Delemont. The Queens continued to roll and capped off a 25-15 victory. Megan Schmidt picked up the final point with a strong kill. 

Once again, the Queens took control of the second set in the early stages. Back-to-back kills from Naomi Jardine and McKenna Barthel on the right side pushed RDC ahead 9-3. The Eagles offered some resistance and knotted the set up 17-17 and 20-20. The RDC Queens maintained their composure and eventually earned a 25-23 win which was sealed by a kill from Miranda Dawe. 

After the third set was close in the early stages (7-7), the Queens went on a 6-2 run to go ahead 13-9. During that time, McKenna Barthel was one of the key performers and recorded a point off the Eagles' block and a service ace. RDC stayed focused and outscored The King's University 12-9 en route to a 25-18 win and an ACAC bronze medal. After the final point, the Queens flooded the court and congratulated each other on the accomplishment. 

Wandler appreciated the strong effort from his squad. "We have a very proud group and they bounced back with some great Queens volleyball," said Wandler. "Chanelle Kayser had a great weekend and played consistently well. I am very proud of her and the rest of the team."

In her final ACAC match, fifth-year Megan Schmidt was named the player-of-the-game for the RDC Queens. The middle blocker from Red Deer accumulated 7 kills, 3 stuff blocks and 1 assist. 

Both Naomi Jardine and Miranda Dawe totaled 10 kills. McKenna Barthel added 6. Setter Chanelle Kayser recorded 29 assists, 7 digs and 1 stuff block. 

In the gold medal game, the Lakeland College Rustlers swept the Briercrest College Clippers (25-17, 27-25 and 25-18).

The 2017 - 18 ACAC Women's Volleyball season is now complete and the RDC Queens will look forward to compete in the world class Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre/Centre des Jeus du Canada Gary W. Harris next season.