The RDC Queens exorcized a demon in the biggest of moments.
Playing the Breircrest College Clippers for a chance to advance to the bronze medal game at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Championships, the Queens finally got the proverbial monkey off their back.
Only once this season in five tries had RDC managed to beat the Clippers, who had only lost two matches all season long.
In the bronze semifinal in Quebec, the Queens managed to wipe away all those losses with a win Saturday.
RDC won the match over the Clippers in five sets (24-26, 25-23, 21-25, 25-14, 15-12) to advance to the bronze medal match against the Fanshawe Falcons.
The Queens managed to limit the damage of Clippers standout fifth-year Rebecca Garner, who had torched them all year long. Garner finished with just 11 kills on 49 attempts and had a hitting percentage of 0.041.
The Queens also found a new weapon in the win, with Emma Holmes struggling in the third set. Rookie Jaiden Ferguson of Red Deer had a monster match playing just three sets, finishing with 11 kills with a 0.474 hitting percentage and also added an ace. She had only played 12 sets all year for the Queens.
Steady veteran Erin Neufeldt led the way for the Queens offensively, she finished with 12 kills on 32 attempts, while middle Ali Greenshields picked up 11 kills. Captain Jade Van Dyke was also clutch, entering the game in the third set and finishing with six kills and three aces, playing a huge role late in the match. She replaced Tess Pearman, who was also battling through an injury.
In those later stages, both setter Emma Letkeman and Vanessa Loos went on runs to help push the match to a fifth set. They each had two aces and the Queens had 14 as a team in the victory. Libero Kaylee Domoney also had a strong game with 17 digs.
The bronze medal match will be played at 4 p.m. and can be stream at www.portal.stretchinternet.com/ccaasportsacsc/#