Pearman dominant in home win over Broncos

Brent Forster - RDC

Red Deer, AB –  After the Queens spotted the Olds College Broncos the opening set (23-25), RDC outside hitter Tess Pearman took control of the match. The second-year put up dominating numbers and helped the home team capture the next three sets (25-14, 25-20, 25-10). The victory was the Queens' 17th in a row.

"That first set usually goes one of two ways. We're either right on top of it or they don't have much life, but they weren't that tonight. Olds showed up and ready to play. We had our chances in that first set, but we didn't capitalize and just made sure that it didn't affect the second, third and fourth set," said Queens Head Coach Talbot Walton. 

"We took a little while from a game plan perspective. We did what we were supposed to do after that. It would have been nice to start and serve a bit better."

As a group, the Queens had 12 aces and 20 service errors. The Broncos fired seven aces and 13 errors.

Vanessa Loos (16)

Ponoka's Tess Pearman was named the Collegiate Sports Medicine Queens Player-of-the-Game. The Bachelor of Education Elementary student totaled 22 kills, five digs, three aces and one stuff block, while finishing with a 0.545 hitting percentage. 

Pearman (8)

"Twenty-two kills in four sets, that's a monstrous game. She hit some balls very, very hard tonight. We haven't seen that kind of velocity for a long time in this gym," explained Walton. "She's really taking over for sure. She's starting to get her game figured out and finding that confidence piece, which has helped her out a ton." 

Tabitha Martin received the award for the Broncos. She was one of the biggest offensive weapons for the visitors, recording ten digs, eight kills and three stuff blocks. 

RDC setter Emma Letkeman stacked up 43 assists, seven digs, three kills, one stuff and an ace. Olds College setter Avery Gammel accumulated 20 assists, six digs and a pair of aces. 

Erin Neufeldt had nine kills and Emma Holmes contributed eight. 

Queens libero Kaylee Domoney had 15 digs and three assists.

"I don't know if our passing allowed us to make us the best setting choices in the first set. A couple times later on, we kind of got stuck in some spots where we were running our third choice, rather than our first choice," stated Walton. "Those are hopefully learning curves. We will watch some video and see if it can help us be a little better."

On Saturday, the second place RDC Queens (17-2) will face the Broncos (2-19) on the road at 6:00 pm. The Queens have already qualified for the postseason.

KidSport

Representatives from KidSport were at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre to raise awareness and funds. Profits from the 50/50 draw and silent auction will help under-resourced youth participate in organized sport in Canada.