MOOSE JAW — The top-seeded RDC Kings went into their opening match of the Alberta Colleges Men’s Volleyball League playoffs as heavy favourites.
That can be a dangerous situation.
“I’m always a little leery about a one vs. eight matchup because the eighth-place team comes out with nothing to lose and they (SAIT Trojans) played that way early while we were tight,” said Kings head coach Aaron Schulha.
The Kings dropped an 14-25 decision to the Trojans before finding their legs and winning the next three sets 25-18, 25-14, 25-18.
“We were a bit nervous as that first score would indicate, but then started to play real well,” added Schulha.
“We pulled together as a team and stepped on the gas over the last three sets.”
Tucker Leinweber was the Kings player of the match with 15 kills, one block, 16 digs and two aces.
The Kings face the Keyano Huskies in today’s 5 p.m. (MST) semifinal.
The winner will earn a berth in the national finals.
Keyano battled to beat Lethbridge 27-25, 250-21, 15-25, 22-25, 15-10.
On the other side, Mount Royal and Briercrest advanced.
Mount Royal beat NAIT 25-22, 25-18, 25-18 and Briercrest stopped Grant MacEwan 25-16, 25-17, 23-25, 25-20.
The Queens open the women’s ACAC finals today at Medicine Hat at 1 p.m. against NAIT.