The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens failed to earn a medal at nationals falling in the bronze semi-finals on Friday evening.
After losing an extended first set 28-30 and the second. 20-25, the Queens battled to win the third set 25-18 but fell in the fourth 16-25 at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.
As a result, the Queens were eliminated by the Nordiques de Lionel-Groulx 3-1 in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s National Volleyball Championship in Red Deer.
Head coach Talbot Walton said he hoped his team had played with more emotion. Regardless, the team took the loss hard.
“Having played two good matches already this tournament and the way [the semi-finals went for us on Thursday]… it looked like LG had more emotion in their game tonight,” Walton said.
“Our processing will be some sadness now. Both for being the end of the season and maybe not quite reaching the level we were hoping to. I’m sure after a couple of days we can start to think about how this weekend has impacted us.”
Talbot hopes the team uses the experience of competing in a national tournament, learn from it, and built on it for the future.
“This is a young group and one of the reasons for having nationals here was to get exposure to some of our young athletes so they’d be prepared to go next year and the year after that,” he added.
Rachel Perry led the way for the Queens with 13 kills and Francesca Sandini, who was named player of the game, had 15 digs. The Queens had a hard time containing Jade Genereux who scored 15 points for the opposition.
The Queens won their first game in nationals on Wednesday 3-0 over the Humber College Hawks but lost a heartbreaking five-set match against the VIU Mariners in the semi-finals.
Red Deer fans showed up for the Queens, especially in the semi-final matchup on Thursday. Walton explained they felt the endless support from the home crowd this week and are thankful.
“We talked about just making sure that we absorbed it. Just taking a look around every once and a while and realizing where you’re at,” he said.
“How this event was going to be more than just about us. An opportunity for our school to showcase our athletic department… And then for that exposure and interaction with central Alberta and girls’ volleyball.
“There’s going to be a little young athlete that was in the stands seven years from now who will say ‘I watched nationals here and now I’m playing for the Queens.’ That’ll be some thin special when that day happens.”
On Saturday the Humber College Hawks will take on the Nordiques de Lionel-Groulx in the bronze medal game at 6 p.m. The gold medal matchup between the Lakeland Rustlers and VIU Mariners will follow at 8 p.m.