The RDC Queens won their final home game of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference women’s volleyball season Saturday and said goodbye to some special players in the process.
It was the last home game at RDC for six Queens and the team honoured them after a decisive three-set victory (25-15, 25-19, 25-18) over the Medicine Hat College Rattlers.
“Probably even more efficient than (Friday). I thought (Friday) we were pretty smooth and they played a little better and they hit the ball at us. We defended and transitioned the ball. That’s why our kills went up. Their errors came down and we played that much better,” Queens head coach Chris Wandler said.
“End up the last regular season game playing the way they did, leaves a good spot for everybody leaving the gym. Looks like we’re going in the right direction. Very happy for them.”
Fourth-year outside hitter McKenna Barthel, who finished the game with 10 kills and seven digs said it was an emotional game and afternoon, but a strong way to finish the regular season.
“It’s definitely emotional. I’m sad that my time here is done. I’ve had a lot of fun with a lot of the girls. I thought we all played well our last game. We really came together and played hard,” Barthel said.
“When I was serving at the end it came into my head, wow, this is last time I’m serving a ball in this gym. I’ve made a lot of good friends and that will carry on throughout my life. It’s been a really good experience.”
Outside hitter Miranda Dawe, third all-time in ACAC kills ended her final home match in an RDC uniform with a game-high 12 kills.
Setter Chanelle Kayser, who is also graduating was clutch in the victory with 37 assists. Hanna Delemont, Megan Schmidt and Naomi Jardine, who had 10 kills in the win are also moving on from the Queens program.
Wandler added that while it was a consistent performance in the win, the defence also stepped up with 43 digs and he was happy to see that heading into provincials next weekend.
“They really played well as a group (Friday) and the last few weeks. Playing for each other, with each other and that becomes an important piece of what we want to accomplish. Good time of year to start playing that way,” he said.
Email sports tips to Byron Hackett
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