Kings 3 Trojans 0
The way the RDC Kings started their match against the SAIT Trojans it made you wonder how they could be considered one of the premier college teams in the country.
But once they settled down they were just fine as they downed the Trojans 34-32, 25-21, 25-20 in Alberta Colleges Men’s Volleyball League play at RDC Friday.
‘The first 22 points we made 17 unforced errors,” said Kings head coach Aaron Schulha shaking his head. “That was an incredible amount. To even be in that game and have a chance to win it was unbelievable.”
The Kings trailed 24-21 in the first set, but battled back to tie it at 24. Four times the Trojans were serving for game point before RDC finally took the lead at 29-28.
Once they settled down, especially serving — they missed eight serves in the first set — it appeared only a matter of time for the Kings would take control of the match.
“If you forget about the first half of that first set that was as crisp as we’ve looked in a while,” said Schulha. “We did have a chance to bury them in the third set and got too cute with our attack, although we’re asking Luke (setter Brisbane) to run a few different things offensively and it showed.
“Our attackers need to do a better job of identifying when to take a full swing and when to tip. Coming, but it’s been a slow process.”
The Kings, who are ranked No. 2 in Canada, lead the ACAC South Division with an 18-3 record and sit two games up on the Medicine Hat Rattlers. SAIT is in a battle to make the playoffs. Lethbridge is third at 13-9 with SAIT and Briercrest at 12-9.
The Kings host Briercrest next Friday and Saturday.
“Finishing first is in the back of our minds, but the biggest concern is getting better,” said Schulha. “We have the physical pieces but we have to make sure we look after the easy stuff, such as the first contact. When you miss that many serves and don’t pass well you open up a lot of opportunities for good teams and that’s what SAIT is and Briercrest is. We’re going to see good teams the rest of the way and we have to be crisp throughout.”
When the Kings were rolling, everyone was contributing. Tim Finnigan led the way with 17 kills, 11 digs and four aces but Regan Fathers and Nic Dubinsky are settling into the offence after joining the team at Christmas.
Fathers had 12 kills, an ace, two blocks and five digs while Dubinsky added seven kills, an ace, four blocks and five digs. Middle Adam Turlejski had eight kills, an ace and a block and Brisbane had 44 assists to go with two kills and five digs. Brett Bolin led SAIT with 10 kills and six digs.
Queens 3 Trojans 1
The Queens, much like the Kings, started slowly. In fact they looked like they were still in the change room for most of the first set before finding their rhythm and recording a 19-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-19 victory.
“I’m not sure why we started so slowly,” said Queens head coach Talbot Walton. “We talked about it before the game, but we also can’t take anything away from SAIT. Their kill percentage in that first set was high and they scored at will. We just hoped they’d cool off between sets and that happened.”
As well the Queens had gained a little momentum toward the end of the first set, which carried over to the second. As well they blocked much better and ran a better offence. The Trojans had four blocks in the first set and three the rest of the way. The Queens had one block in the first set and six in the final three sets.
“We started playing more our style and once that happened we got into a groove and worked hard on siding out and scoring on the serve,” said Walton. “In that first set they were all over our attack while in the second we changed and started junking a few balls around. It wasn’t by design, more luck than anything, but it forced their blockers to change their arm angles.”
The Queens also did a better job of handling SAIT left side Megan Brennan, who had five kills in the first set and five the rest of the way.
“She hits with velocity and is hard to stop, but we did a better job of serving to her and slowing her down. We also changed a bit and had Alex (Donaghy) against her more.”
Donaghy, who is one of the premier middles in the conference, finished with three blocks to go with seven kills and five digs.
Miranda Dawe had 12 kills and eight digs, Lauren Marshall 10 kills and 12 digs and Kelsey Tymkow eight kills and eight digs. Megan Schmidt added seven kills and five digs and RDC player of the match, setter Bronwyn Hawkes, had 40 assists, 11 digs, two blocks, an ace and four kills.
Alex Panemko had 10 kills and 11 digs for the Trojans.
RDC is at SAIT today and Leah Koot will start at power after returning from an ankle injury. She will start in place of Marshall, who has been outstanding during her rookie season.
Lauren had been solid for us,” said Walton. “She can pass, makes good decisions, has a good feel for the game and a great arm.”
The Queens have a 19-2 record with Briercrest at 17-4. Olds and SAIT sit at 12-9.
Danny Rode is a retired Advocate reporter who can be reached at drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com. His work can also be seen at rdc.ab.ca/athleticsblog.