RDP Queens display royal effort against VIU Mariners in national semi-final

Red Deer, AB - The Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Queens gave a heart-and-soul effort against the Vancouver Island University (VIU) Mariners in Thursday's semi-final at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women's Volleyball National Championship.

Down two sets, the host Queens pushed the Pacific Western Athletic Association (PACWEST) Champions to five sets, but couldn't fully complete the rally (30-32, 21-25, 25-20, 25-21 and 10-15) in the lively Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

"We worked really hard in the third and fourth [sets] to get ourselves an opportunity to play in the fifth set," said Talbot Walton, RDP Queens Volleyball Head Coach. "We just couldn't find ourselves enough to relax and take control of what we needed to do on our side of the court to execute just a little cleaner."

Outside hitter Emma Holmes, who was an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women's Volleyball South All-Conference team selection, led the Polytechnic with 13 kills.

Holmes (11) added nine digs and one ace

Both Grande Prairie's Rachel Perry and Red Deer's Lauren Junck contributed 12 kills for the Queens. All-Conference libero Francesca Sandini picked up 18 digs. Raya Roesler, who was named the ACAC Women's Volleyball South Rookie of the Year, accumulated five kills and two of the Queens' six blocks.

The Mariners' offence was powered by outside hitter Aimee Skinner. The first-year from Coldstream, BC, contributed 26 kills (0.320) and eight aces for the Mariners. Setter Linnea Brickwood had 54 assists. Third-year Grace Brisebois accumulated 12 kills for VIU.

Perry was named the 4imprint Queens Player of the Match.

Skinner was recognized as the 4imprint Mariners Player of the Game.

"We played hard," said Walton. "I was really happy with their performance."

The RDP Queens will play the Nordiques de Lionel-Groulx in the bronze semi-finals on Friday, March 8 at 8 pm.

"That is our goal, to recover here tonight and look after tomorrow," added Walton.

The VIU Mariners will face the Lakeland College Rustlers in the gold medal match on Saturday, March 9 at 8 pm.

Tickets can be purchased online.

For more information about the volleyball schedule, teams and photos, please visit the CCAA site.