Toze and Kings sweep Tommies, advance to semis

Fredericton, NB – The Red Deer College Kings continued their momentum from an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) gold medal championship into nationals. The Kings controlled the game early and rolled to a three set victory over the host St. Thomas Tommies, who won Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) gold (25-13, 27-25 and 25-16).

The Kings were led offensively by Red Deer's Ben Holmes (ten kills) and Legal's Carter Hills (ten kills).

Holmes (10)

Australia's Pat Toze was recognized as the Kings Player-of-the-Game. The left side hitter stacked up eight kills, six digs, one ace and a stuff.

Hills and middle Cody Boulding accounted for six of the team's seven service aces. Each had three.

Boulding, a Bachelor of Science student, added five kills, three digs and a block assist, while swinging for a 0.333 hitting percentage.

RDC setter Thomas Wass totaled 27 assists and 12 digs. Libero Jonathan (JJ) Graham made several stellar defensive plays, accumulating eight digs and two assists.

Tommies Player-of-the-Game Dallas Melnick recorded three of his squad's six aces. The six-foot-one outside hitter powered the hosts with ten kills. The Kings limited ACAA Player of the Year Christian Christie to five kills and a 0.059 hitting percentage.

In other Thursday action, the Humber Hawks swept the Holland Hurricanes and the Volontaires de Sherbrooke edged the Lethbridge College Kodiaks in five.

On Friday, the RDC Kings will face the winner between the Durham Lords and Capilano Blues at 8:00 ADT in the semi-finals.

The CCAA schedule and results can be found online.

Pictures from the match are also available online.