Queens 3 Kodiaks 1
Lauren Marshall arrived at RDC three years ago as a left side hitter.
Today she’s one of the top liberos in the Alberta Colleges Women’s Volleyball League.
She showed her talents Saturday afternoon in recording 16 digs as the Queens downed the Lethbridge College Kodiaks 25-14, 25-17, 19-25, 25-20 at RDC.
Marshall played some libero last season, backing up Olivia Barnes.
“I had a feeling I would play more there this year after Olivia left and Kaylee (Domoney) came in as a first-year,” said Marshall. “I didn’t know for sure, but it’s a role I was willing to take on and I’m enjoying it.”
Marshall is third in the ACAC in digs (244) and digs per set (3.44) and looks more and more comfortable as the season wears on.
“It feels lmore confortable,” she said. “But playing left side I had to focus on defence so in that aspect I was used to it. But I still work on being more aggressive and playing a more significant role (on defence) in practice.
“I know coach (Chris Wandler) wants me to push more on serve receive and I’m getting more comfortable with that.”
Wandler likes what he sees from Marshall.
“When you don’t notice her, she’s at her best,” he said. “She’s smooth on serve receive and helps make everyone around her better.”
Marshall, who is working on a Bachelor of Education — Elementary, will move next season, leaving the libero spot open for Domoney, a former star at Lindsay Thurber.
On Saturday the Queens controlled play over the first two sets before letting down a bit in the third.
“I think it was a good learning day,” said Wandler. “We continue to talk about how we ehave to xecute play to play and rally to rally. Don’t focus on the scoreboard but concentrate on the rally and we got away from that a bit.”
Miranda Dawe finished with 23 kills, seven digs and two blocks.
“She’s a calming force out there,” said Wandler. “And Ashley (setter Fehr) did a good job of distributing the ball and our middles were OK. In the end we did what we needed to do.”
Fehr finished with 28 assists, three kills, three aces and five digs. McKenna Barthel added nine kills, three digs and two blocks and Megan Schmidt eight kills, six digs and two blocks, Fauve Welsh had five kills, three digs and three blocks and Jade Van Dyke two kills, and five digs.
The Queens have now won 12 in a row and sit at 17-3. Briercrest is 19-1 and face the Queens in their final two league matches Feb. 17-18 at RDC.
Kings 3 Kodikas 0
Except for the odd spell in the third set the Kings were in full control during a 25-15, 25-12, 25-023 victory over the Kodiaks.
The Kings trailed by five and then again 15-18 in the third set. The set was also tied at 23.
“In the past we showed signs of panicking, but there wasn’t any of that in our body language or the way we looked. The guys looked in control,” said Kings head coach Aaron Schulha.
Although they missed nine serves the Kings served better than in a 3-1 win over the Kodiaks Friday.
“It’s still a work in progress, but in general it was better,” said Schulha, who was glad to have setter Luke Brisbane back full time.
Brisbane missed all of the second half before starting Friday.
“Having him back helps in a lot of ways,” said Schulha. “He didn’t lose much while he was away, which was a good sign and he provided an energy boost.”
Brisbane finished with 29 assists and five digs while Regan Fathers had 12 kills and three digs. Ty Moorman had eight digs, Daimyn Biletsky six kills, two aces and a block, Matt Lofgren five kills and three digs and Brian Grenier five kills and four digs.
RDC visits Medicine Hat Friday and Saturday in a pair of huge games for the Kings. The Kings are 16-4 with MHC at 15-3.