Kings 3 Eagles 0
The one area the RDC Kings lacked experience was at libero.
That’s no longer the case.
The Kings added four-year veteran Jordan Turner to the roster last week and immediately inserted him into the starting rotation.
Despite not playing since leaving SAIT following the 2007-08 season Turner looked right at home as the Kings downed The King’s University College Eagles 25-18, 25-18, 25-20 in Alberta Colleges Men’s Volleyball League action before close to 400 fans at RDC Saturday.
“I didn’t expect to play this year as I came back to RDC to take a few extra courses so I could get into university next year,” said Turner, who played two years with the Kings prior to the one season with SAIT. “But (coach Aaron) Schulha contacted me and it’s a gift to be able to come back to my old team. I was always a King, even the year I was at SAIT I believed I was a King in a Trojans uniform. It’s great to come back and play in the home gym.”
And Turner knows the position well.
“I’m playing a position I’m confident in and I believe I will help the guys because of my experience. The libero (Matt Saunders) they have is in his first year and it’s a tough position to step right into. For me I know what to expect and can bring a bit of calm to the court, which I believe helps the guys concentrate on what they have to do. I think it helps Matt as well as he can sit back and watch and learn.”
Turner knows the Kings coaching staff having played with them all.
“That’s kind of cool, now I’m getting to know the other guys, who welcomed me right away.”
The Kings had little difficulty with the Eagles, who had problems handling the RDC serve.
The Kings finished with 13 aces — eight by Mitch Irvine, who also had 12 kills. Taylor Hunt had three aces and 11 kills while Chris Wowchuk added an ace and six kills. Peter Dykstra had eight kills for the Eagles.
Queens 3 Eagles 1
While the Kings added experience to libero, the Queens have Notre Dame grad Tarah Truant to fill the role.
Truant is in her second season with the Queens, although she missed the majority of last season after injuring her left knee. Still Truant was able to watch last season, something she says helped her step in this year.
“I was able to get used to the game as the speed is a lot faster than high school and even club,” she said following the Queens 23-25, 25-15, 25-8,. 26-24 victory overt the Eagles. “When I got a chance to play this year I adjusted quickly.”
Still the 19-year-old felt she needed to prove herself.
“We have a lot of veterans, with a lot of experience, so I had to prove I could play at this calibre. It’s worked out and it’s nice to be able to be back after the injury. It was also good of the coaches to give me that chance to start.”
Truant showed her skill Saturday finishing with 23 digs.
The Queens weren’t at their best — especially in the first and fourth sets.
“The first set we sat back and gave them way to many points (14),” said Queens head coach Talbot Walton. “In the fourth set I tried to make a couple of adjustments and they (Eagles) also came out on fire.”
The Queens trailed 24-20 before Katie Graves served six straight points for the win.
“With Katie in the back row with Tarah and (setter) Quinn (Schulzke) we have a very strong back row and three strong players up front,” said Walton. “It’s a good rotation and it worked out for us.”
Graves finished with 18 kills and 13 digs while Jessica Clutton had 13 kills, Jaclyn Neufeld nine kills and 10 digs and Schulzke four kills and 12 digs. Jenn Clayton had 16 kills for the Eagles.
The RDC teams have next weekend off before hosting SAIT Feb. 10.
drode@www.reddeeradvocate.com