RDP Kings sweep Lions, Greves enters record books

Brent Forster - Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics 

Red Deer, AB – Kings setter Maddux Greves is a difference maker, and now a conference record holder.

With Greves dropping an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) record 14 service aces in one match, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings swept the Ambrose University Lions (25-15, 25-11, 25-15).

"Breaking any record is a nice accomplishment, but it was a testament to how hard we are working in the gym," said Greves.

"Honestly, I don't think I have been serving well this semester, so it felt good to get the monkey off my back a little bit. I was hitting my hand pretty good. Moving forward, I'm feeling confident which is nice."

The previous record of 12 aces in one match was shared by Cory Wlos of the Medicine Hat College Rattlers (1993/1994) and Curtis Russel from the Keyano College Huskies (2001/2002).

Greves hinted at a special night early, going on a streak of eight consecutive serves in the opening set. The fourth-year leads the Kings (38 aces) and the league with 1.12 aces per set.

"It was pretty fitting for him to receive the [John Walsh Memorial] scholarship at the start. In my remarks, I mentioned that he is one of the top servers and setters in the country and I think he had that on full display tonight," said Aaron Schulha, Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Volleyball Head Coach. "For a guy who is a competitor and a leader, he has been waiting for the opportunity [to return to game action], and he did a spectacular job."

Greves was out of the lineup for four matches. 

As a team, the Kings finished with 20 aces, one shy of tying the conference record of 21, held by The King's University Eagles (2007/2008).

Greves, a Business Administration General student, added 24 assists, three digs and was named the North Star Sports Kings Player of the Game.

"I thought he was good right from the start in terms of his defence and spreading the ball around. We have been working on trying to get our middles more volume, with Dillon in particular," said Schulha. "It showed good at times and showed that it still needs some work at times. Maddux was great and it was awesome to have him back."

Middle Dillon Gauci contributed three kills, a block, one ace and a dig.

Lions Player of the Match George Zapach accumulated three kills (0.750 hitting percentage), three digs and one block.

Outside hitter Nicholas Possingham led Red Deer Polytechnic with 10 kills. Reece Lehman added eight. 

Lehman (9)

"I don't think we've had this group together, in terms of the second half and not having Pat [Toze]," added Schulha. "I think it's been a long time coming. We've seen it in practice and we like the look of it."

With the playoffs around the corner, the Kings want to focus on their play.

"For us, a lot of what we do from here on out is going to be on our side of the net. We know it's going to be good competition especially moving forward with Lethbridge and then the start of the playoffs," said Schulha.

"We stressed preparation over the past little while, especially after a three game losing skid. To get back to what we do, making sure we are preparing for our best match and trying to play Kings Volleyball. I thought we did a good job of that tonight."

Nicholas Jabusch (five kills), Kade Miller (five kills) and Nikita Marchenkov (five kills) helped lead Ambrose University's offence.

As a group, the Lions recorded three blocks. The Kings were credited with four. 

The first place Red Deer Polytechnic Kings (11-4) will meet the third seed Kodiaks (8-5) on February 12 at 4 pm in Lethbridge. That match will wrap up regular season play. 

Graduating student-athletes on the Kings

Reece Lehman, Cody Boulding

"They've been fantastic. Cody came to us in 2018/2019, so the year we hosted national championships. He didn't get a lot of playing time that year, but he learned pretty quickly what it takes and what the expectations are for this program," said Schulha, of the student-athlete looking to study to become a chiropractor.

"He was a middle in high school and then wanted to convert to the outside, so he played a little bit of outside in his first and second year and then we moved him back to the middle and he took off in that position. He became a captain. He has some opportunities to play at the U Sports level."

Red Deer's Lehman has been with the Kings for only one season, but Schulha appreciates his contributions.

"I worked with Reece when he was younger. With the club system and through Lindsay Thurber, so I've known him for quite a while and his parents," added Schulha. "It was really great for him to come back home. I was really excited that the parents got to watch. Reece and Cody have been exceptional and they've done the program proud."

Lehman is pursuing further studies in physiotherapy.

Jon Walsh Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship is awarded to a dedicated student-athlete who is pursuing the sport they love while contributing to their community.

2021/2022 Kings recipient – Calgary's Maddux Greves, a Business Administration General student

Greves (4)