The RDP Kings are no strangers to be ranked No, 1 going into the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association men’s volleyball championships.
However, rankings don’t mean that much, according to Kings head coach Aaron Schulha.
“Ranking doesn’t seem to matter anymore; the pools are predetermined,” he said. “I know I don’t like it, in fact a lot of coaches don’t, but it’s the way it is.
“The thing is we can’t worry about it, all teams are tough once you get here.”
The Kings, who lost only once in ACAC play this season, go into the championships, which opened today in Niverville, MB, looking for their record-extending 13th CCAA championship. They face the host Providence Pilots of Otterburne at 5 p.m.
The last CCAA title the Kings won was in 2017. They placed third in 2022 and second on their home court in 2019.
The Kings know a thing or two about the Pilots, who attended the RDP tournament earlier in the season.
“They have three good internationals, including a big Aussie, who can play the outside or middle,” Schulha said. “They also have an outside hitter, who got big volume for them at their playoffs and at last year’s Nationals.
“They’re also well coached, so we’ll have to be ready.”
The Kings do know a thing or two about facing the host team at a high-end tournament after defeating host Lakeland at the ACAC championships.
“Our guys did a good job at handling a little adversity, the noise and all that fun stuff,” added Schuhla.
“It’s a matter of just being ready to go and do things right on our side of the court.”
The College of the Rockies from Cranbrook and the Humber Hawks out of Toronto are also on the RDP side of the draw.
“They were ranked in the top three with us most of the season, so it’s a tough draw,” continued Schuhla.
The other side of the draw sees the Canadian Mennonite College of Winnipeg clashing with the Griffons de l’Outaovais from Gatineau and the Dragons de Sainte-Anne from Church Point, NS, meeting the Douglas Royals of New Westminster, BC.
The Kings go into the Nationals with one of the premier players in the country, six-foot-five left-side hitter Colby Nemeth, who was the Player of the Year in the ACAC’s South Division and an All-Canadian.
“He’s had an outstanding year and deserves to be Player of the Year and an All-Canadian,” said the veteran RDP head coach.
“I can’t say enough good things about him and the steps he’s taken both on the court and with his leadership. He’s been great, now we just need a bit more.”
Nemeth isn’t one to pat himself on the back.
“We’ve been growing as a team all year, our connections are super strong and I think a lot of that has to do with the fact we’re working on mental sessions with Keith (Hansen). We’ve bought into that mindset and mentality.”
Nemeth indicated the team has been trying to keep track of all the teams they’ll see at the Nationals.
“We’ve tried to follow all the teams just to know where they stand,” he said.
Nemeth will likely be in the running for the CCAA Player of the Year, while Schulha will be in the running for Coach of the Year after being selected Coach of the Year in the ACAC’s South Division.
It’s the second year in a row Schulha has received the ACAC award.
“It’s great to be recognized by your peers,” he said. “But it’s more of a testament to what these guys (players) are doing and my assistant coaches. I try to put the right guys around me, put guys into the program to have success.
“It’s just not me. I love to share it with my coaching staff and the work they’re doing every day.”
The semifinals go Thursday with the medal games on Saturday.
On the women’s side, the ACAC champion Lakeland Rustlers and Augustana Vikings represent the ACAC at Durham College in Oshawa, ON.
The Vikings face Humber and Lakeland clashes with Durham today.
