It was quite the start to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Volleyball Championships for the RDP Kings and Queens.
Wednesday, before play got underway for the provincial championships, the ACAC handed out its annual awards.
Colby Nemeth, the fifth-year Kings outside hitter from Red Deer, was named the ACAC South Player of the Year. Nemeth, in his third season with the Kings led the ACAC with 4.65 kills-per-set, almost two full kills more than he averaged in 2023-24. Nemeth led the Kings to an 18-1 record, their only loss on the year coming to the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks in five sets. RDP was ranked number one in Canada heading into provincials, which got underway Thursday.
“Colby has led the ACAC in total kills and kills per set all season long and has been near the top of the leaderboard for service aces as well,” said Kings coach Aaron Schulha.
The talented six-foot-five outside hitter also placed fourth in the league with 0.54 service aces per set. He also contributed an impressive 364.5 points for the Kings throughout the season (5.6 points per set) while achieving an efficient 0.455 hitting percentage and was named an ACAC all-conference outside for his efforts.
Nemeth, a Bachelor of Commerce student, also recorded 75 digs, 35 service aces, 27 blocks and 10 assists.
“His ability to impact the game offensively, defensively and from the service line has been special to witness this season and he will no doubt be relied upon heavily heading into ACAC Championships,” added Schulha. “Colby thinks the game at a very high level and works diligently to improve his game as well as bringing out the best in his teammates. Congratulations on this award, Colby. You are certainly very deserving of this honour.”
Schulha also collected an honour as ACAC South Coach of the Year.
"I want to congratulate Aaron on receiving this award. He is dedicated to helping his student-athletes achieve success academically, athletically and as leaders in the community," says Randy Stewart, Manager, Athletics and Student Life, Red Deer Polytechnic. "Aaron has been instrumental in contributing to the historic legacy of the RDP Kings Volleyball program across Alberta and Canada."
Schulha has been acknowledged as ACAC Coach of the Year four previous times.
Kings middle Owen Langberg earned an ACAC all-conference nod, and Brett Thiese at setter.
RDP Queens outside hitter Lauren Junck was also selected as the 2024-2025 ACAC Women’s Volleyball South Player of the Year.
Junck, a third-year outside hitter, played a significant role in helping the RDP Queens Volleyball team (13-6) finish second in the ACAC South Division and qualify for the playoffs.
“In her third year, Lauren was moved into a starting position where she quickly accepted the role of carrying the offensive load,” said Queens head coach Talbot Walton. “She had multiple games with double-digit kills and is on the stats leaderboard for kills and aces.”
In 19 matches, Junck ranked third in ACAC Women’s Volleyball with a total of 234 kills. She also placed third with 0.58 service aces per set and fifth in the ACAC with 3.30 kills per set.
This season, Red Deer’s Junck contributed a total of 289 points (4.1 points per set), 97 digs, 41 service aces, 14 blocks and 12 assists while recording a 0.346 hitting percentage.
Junck, middle Autumn Roos and libero Francesca Sandini were all named ACAC all-conference players on the women's side.
The Queens opened provincials Thursday with a dominant three-set sweep over the NAIT Ooks (25-21, 25-16, 25-22) at the University of Alberta-Augustana in Camrose. Junck led the way with a match-high 14 kills. She also had two aces, two digs and a block in the win.
