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Red Deer Polytehnic athletes earn top ACAC honours

Several members of the RDP Kings and Queens basketball and volleyball squads earned some just rewards this week.
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The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens volleyball team had a collection of all-stars as well as the Alberta Colleges Athletic Association Player of the Year. (Photo courtesy of Red Deer Polytechnic)

Several members of the RDP Kings and Queens basketball and volleyball squads earned some just rewards this week.

Volleyball Queens right side Anna Carlson and basketball Kings veteran guard Tyronn King led the way receiving the South Division Player of the Year awards for their respective sports.

Carlson was one of five members of the Queens on the South All-Conference squad, joining Tess Pearman as an outside hitter, middle McKenna Olson, setter Emma Letkeman and libero Kaylee Domoney. Domoney shared the honour with Francesca Sandini of Olds.

Carlson, a five-foot-11 outside hitter from Sylvan Lake, recorded 137 kills (2.49 kills per set) with an efficient 0.478 hitting percentage, which ranked second in the league. She added 82 digs, 27 service aces, 26 blocks, seven assists, and contributed 3.5 points per set.

“Anna is a dominant player in this conference – a dominant force offensively and blocking wise,” said Queens interim head coach Chris Wandler in a press release. “Her numbers don’t really dictate how much of a factor she plays.”

King, who led the ACAC in scoring with a 24.6 points-per-game average, was the lone member of the Kings on the first All-Conference squad with Eduardo Crespo, who was named the Rookie of the Year, on the second team.

“Ty is an elite scorer and someone that you want to build a team around,” Kings head coach Darren Graham said in a press release. “He was my first recruit and made my life a lot easier as a new coach.”

Kings a native of Toronto averaged 3.3 assists. 1.5 steals and 7.3 rebounds per game.

“Ty is a leader by example, and I appreciate this team first mentality. He will go out there and battle for you every night,” added Graham. “I appreciate his character. He always conducts himself with such a cool, calm demeanour on and off the court.”

Crespo, a six-foot-three guard from Brazil, averaged 14.4 points per game6.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 3.2 assists.

“We saw Eduardo’s game evolve throughout the year,” said Graham. “He is really grabbing the game by the horns and is having a huge impact. His statistics show that he impacts the game in so many different ways.

“He is an elite intellectual basketball player. He thinks the game so well on both ends of the court. He is a guy that we can rely on to get some stops on the defensive end. I think he is one of the best playmakers in the ACAC in his first year.”

Meanwhile the volleyball Kings had three players on the All-Conference team, including South Rookie of the Year and right side hitter and Red Deer native Brett Lower. Middle Cody Boulding and setter Maddux Greves were also on the team.

“I think what’s most impressive about Brett is his all-around game and his desire to get better,” said Kings volleyball head coach Aaron Schulha in a press release. “He thinks the game at a high level for a rookie and he wants to learn the game at an even higher level.”

The six-foot-two Lower led the team with 185 kills, fourth in the league. His 3.14 kills per set were sixth in the ACAC. 0.421 hitting percentage.

“It’s always nice to have a left hander on the right side and Brett has really stepped it up for us,” added Schulha. “He has been outstanding. He has very high expectations of himself, which is great to see as a rookie.”

Lower also contributed 93 digs, 15 blocks, 15 service aces, nine assists, and averaged 3.6 points per set.