On the road to start the new year, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings volleyball team picked up where they left off in 2022.
The Kings extended their winning streak to nine matches over the weekend, with a sweep Friday over the Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder before downing the King’s University Eagles at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre Saturday.
RDP won the opening set 25-22, before losing 25-22 in set two before winning 25-23 and 25-17 in sets three and four to close out the match.
In Saturday’s win, Noah Carlson had a monster night for the Kings with a match-high 20 kills, while adding a pair of stuff blocks.
Red Deer’s own Colby Nemeth and Nicholas Possingham each had 15 kills in the victory. Nemeth also had an ace and 10 digs for the Kings. Setter Maddux Greves also chipped in 48 assists for the home side. Jayden Hiebert led the way for the Eagles with 13 kills.
The Queens lost in four sets (18-25, 26-24, 22-25, 26-28), their second loss of the new year after falling in five sets to the Thunder on Friday.
Vanessa Loos led the Queens with 15 kills, adding an ace and 21 digs in the loss. Middle Sydney Rix had 13 kills, while Ponoka’s Autumn chipped in 11. Queens setter Danielle Wiens had 57 assists. Eagles attacker Sam Lieuwen led all players in the match with 17 kills.
Both the Kings and Queens will play a home and home with the Ambrose University Lions next weekend. RDP will host the Lions Friday, before travelling to Calgary Saturday night to finish off the set.