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King balancing time playing two sports

It’s tough enough to play one college sport and find time for academics and any kind of social life, never mind playing two sports.

It’s tough enough to play one college sport and find time for academics and any kind of social life, never mind playing two sports.

But that’s exactly what David King is doing as a third-year member of the RDC Kings volleyball team and a first-year member of ther badminton squad.

“It keeps me out of trouble,” the Stettler native said with a laugh.

He didn’t think about joining the badminton team until taking a badminton class.

“I played with the Stettler Badminton Club from Grade 5 to about Grade 9 and did well in a lot of tournaments,” he explained. “But then I started playing club volleyball and stopped playing.

“But when I took the badminton class I realized is missed it and the coach (Chad Cargill) showed interest in me, so I started going out when I could.”

While he had some success, King said he was a bit frustrated with the way he played.

“I could be better,” he said. “But I haven’t played in a number of years and so obviously I was going to go downhill a bit, but I still enjoy it.”

Over his time with the RDC team he twice finished third in the mixed doubles with Mary Smith and placed third in men’s doubles with Brian Smith.

The badminton tournament at Concordia University College in Edmonton did conflict with the volleyball Kings’ meeting with Augustana on Saturday.

“But that’s the only time,” said King. “It seemed like everything worked out. The badminton provincials, (Feb. 18-19 at Mount Royal) are a week ahead of the volleyball provincials and if I happen to go to the badminton nationals, they’re a week ahead of the volleyball nationals.”

But while badminton is something he enjoys his first priority is with the volleyball Kings, where he is one of the first players off the bench when head coach Aaron Schulha decides to switch his left side hitters. As a result he’s played considerable time during the second half of the season.

“I’m getting my chances . . . whatever is best for the team,” said King. “It’s not a role I thought about, but I’ve come to terms with it. I like starting, but anything for the team. I don’t feel I’m the most talented, but I can provide a spark when that’s needed.”

King spends his time on the bench watching the flow of the game, although it’s more on what the Kings are doing rather than watching the opposition.

“I do look at tendencies of the opposition, but I like to focus more on my game. We have a strategy before the game and we try to stick to that.”