RDP Queens pushed by Kodiaks to four sets, advance to Final Four on home court

Red Deer, AB – With a four set victory Sunday afternoon, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens have advanced to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Final Four, but the Lethbridge College Kodiaks didn't make it easy (25-14, 25-12, 23-25 and 25-23).

A quick start from the Queens set the tone in the first set. With early service pressure from McKenna Olson, the home team jumped ahead 5-0. RDP built on that momentum, eventually capping off the set 25-14.

The Kodiaks kept it close in the early stages of the second set. First-year middle Eryka Woods served up an ace to knot it up 5-5. Then the Queens went on a 10-5 run, which included kills from Olson and Tess Pearman. The RDP Queens eventually sealed a 25-12 second set victory.

Lethbridge College captured a seven point edge (8-1) in the third set. The Queens pulled within four (11-15), but they couldn't fully close the gap. The visitors wrapped up a 25-23 win.

Lethbridge College opened the fourth set with energy, grabbing a 9-4 edge. The Queens' blocking started to pick up its efficiency and RDP sealed a 25-23 decision, winning the match.

North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game Kaylee Domoney was solid defensively, accumulating nine digs and four assists. Outside hitter Jadyn Leong had a game high 11 kills (0.300 hitting percentage). She added two digs and two of the team's 11 service aces. Outside hitter Ana Carlson contributed seven kills. Setter Emma Letkeman (30 assists) also found middles Sydney Rix (six kills) and McKenna Olson (four kills).

Kodiaks top performer Aideena Wickstrom totaled seven kills (0.385 hitting percentage), three digs, two blocks and one of Lethbridge's eight aces. Johanna Dixon had 23 assists. Jamie Brown accumulated a team high eight kills. Mack Lewicki added six digs, five kills and an ace.

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens will host the ACAC Women's Volleyball Final Four on March 11 and 12.