DeWit, Holmes and Wass recognized as Kings drop Rattlers, win 10th straight

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB – The Red Deer College Kings treated Saturday afternoon's match against the Medicine Hat College Rattles as a playoff game. The home team started strong and kept that consistent effort throughout, downing the Rattlers in three sets (25-17, 25-12 and 25-12), as three graduating RDC student-athletes were celebrated.

"Much better [today]. We tried to treat our preparation today as if it was a playoff match and I thought we came out of the gates quickly again, but were able to sustain it all the way through," said Kings Head Coach Aaron Schulha. "It was a nice way to finish out the season at home, a nice way to send off our graduating players, and most importantly it's a good feeling going into playoffs."

RDC outside hitter Carter Hills picked up 13 kills and three digs. Ben Holmes fired ten kills. Setter Thomas Wass contributed 30 assists, four digs, four kills and one stuff. Middle Mark DeWit had two kills, two aces, one dig and a stuff block.

Graduating RDC student-athletes Mark DeWit, Ben Holmes and Thomas Wass were named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Kings Players-of-the-Game in their final match at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.

Hills (4)

Justice Lesuk received the top player award for the Rattlers, totaling three stuff blocks and one dig. Aleksa Zivic recorded six kills, four digs, one assist and an ace. Dexter Mackie added five kills.

The RDC Kings had six service aces. The Rattlers replied with one in the final match.

The Lethbridge College Kodiaks will host the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Men's Volleyball Championship from Feb. 27-29. The RDC Kings' opponent in the first match will be determined after the remaining games are played Saturday evening.

The Kings will balance rest with practice, leading up to the opening contest.

"Get some rest on Sunday, train on Monday with a little bit of video," said Schulha. "Tuesday we actually leave, because we have one of the early practice timeslots on Wednesday."

The RDC Kings have won ten consecutive matches to finish the regular season and have momentum on their side. 

"We are playing at a pretty high level especially after today, so it's more about getting guys a little more healthy, keeping some guys healthy and just making sure that we're focused on the right things, preparing for our opponent," said Schulha. "If we look after our side, the results should look after themselves."

John Walsh Memorial Scholarship

Kings outside hitter Patrik Toze received the John Walsh Memorial Scholarship in Search of Excellence, which is given to dedicated student-athletes in their sport who also provide leadership in the community.

Toze (11)

Graduating Kings

Mark DeWit, Ben Holmes and Thomas Wass wore the crown for the final time on their home court.

"All three of them have different strengths and have contributed significant amounts to this program," said Schulha. "All three of those guys will be sorely missed but are all moving on to bigger and better things, and we are pleased that they chose us for the time that they did."

Middle Mark DeWit will transfer to Mount Royal to compete for the Cougars and finish his business education. Ben Holmes will move on to complete his University of Calgary program.

"Both Ben and Mark, in terms of GPA's, being good examples to the guys in terms of their studies, as well as being in the weight room all of the time, so not just what they bring to the floor here but they are quality leaders off the floor as well," said Schulha. "To be losing our two captains hurts, but I think they set a good enough example that the guys returning next year will be able to follow their lead."

Setter Thomas Wass will move home to Australia to pursue a firefighting career.

"Tom has been a starter the past three years," said Schulha. "He's really started to think the game at a much higher level and run a quality offence, and keep things balanced for us."