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Queens advance to semifinals in ACAC Women’s Volleyball Championship

They’ll play again Friday night
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RDP Queens Sydney Rix celebrates after they defeated the Keyano College Huskies in the opening set of their game in the ACAC Championship Thursday night at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. (Photo by Ian Gustafson/ Advocate staff)

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens are one step closer to their goal.

On Thursday night the Queens defeated the Keyano College Huskies 3-1 in the quarterfinals at the 2023 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Women’s Volleyball Championship on their home court in Red Deer.

With the victory, the Queens secured their spot to play in either the bronze or gold medal game on Saturday.

Head coach of the Queens Talbot Walton said their expectation every year is to contend for a championship.

“Regardless of where we start at the beginning of the season, I think that the majority of our teams historically have had the coachability and work ethic to put themselves in that opportunity to compete,” he said.

“I knew this group had a lot of those characteristics we just lacked that on-court playing experience finding those starting roles… They’ve come a long way and I think they’re pretty close to where we anticipated to get to.”

On Thursday night the Queens played a complete game but had to earn every point in a tight matchup. Despite being behind the opening set the Queens came back to win 25-22.

In the second set, the Queens made a few mistakes but still managed to make it close but lost 21-25. From there on the Queens flexed their muscles and won two straight sets 25-21 and 25-18 to win the game.

The Queens lost to Keyano College 3-0 back in November during the regular season and Walton said his team has improved a lot since then.

“We matched up pretty well against them,” he said. “Their athleticism and their experience of playing we don’t quite have those same characteristics. I thought what we’ve been working on for the last two months was really starting to take its shape.”

Queens Jaiden Ferguson led the way with 17 kills but also added 10 digs. Vanessa Loos followed suit with 14 kills of her own and Francesca Sandini led all players with 18 digs.

Walton added it was some of the best volleyball they’ve played in a while.

“Our culture is based on hard work and we need to do whatever we can to put ourselves in positions to be a contender for medals and conference championships,” he said.

“We’re super thrilled to have that opportunity again, especially with this younger group of players.”

On Friday the Queens will play at 8 p.m. at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre against the winner between Lakeland College and Briercrest College. If the Queens win they’ll move on to the gold medal game on Saturday at 6 p.m. but if they lose they’ll play in the bronze medal game at 3 p.m.

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RDP Queens Jaiden Ferguson spikes the ball against the Keyano College Huskies during the ACAC Championship at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre on Thursday night. (Photo by Ian Gustafson/ Advocate staff)
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The RDP Queens celebrate winning their opening game of the ACAC Championship at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre in Red Deer Thursday night. (Photo by Ian Gustafson/ Advocate staff)


Ian Gustafson

About the Author: Ian Gustafson

Ian began his journalism career as a reporter in Prince Albert, Sask. for the last three years, and was born and raised in Saskatchewan.
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