RDP Queens down The King's University Eagles in five sets, will play for ACAC gold

Red Deer, AB – The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens will compete for Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) gold, but it wasn't an easy path to get there.

The Queens were pushed to five sets by the gritty and talented The King's University Eagles, but the home team prevailed in the end (23-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19 and 15-5). 

In the opening set, Lauren Kroetsch helped The King's University Eagles jump out to a quick 6-3 edge. The ACAC Women's Volleyball North All-Conference outside hitter had a trio of kills during that stretch. But the home team chipped away. Queens outside hitter Jadyn Leong recorded a stuff block on the left side to knot the set up 11-11. The teams went back and forth and the Eagles eventually solidified a 25-23 decision.

Anna Carlson, ACAC Women's Volleyball South Player of the Year and All-Conference outside hitter, lifted the Queens ahead 11-10 in the second set with her fourth kill of the match. Eagle's second-year outside hitter Samantha Gagnon (seven kills) received more volume and made an impact, but the home team pulled away at the end, sealing a 25-23 win.

In the third set, RDP's Tess Pearman, an All-Conference South outside hitter, picked up her 13th kill which pushed the Queens ahead 11-8. The Eagles started to claw back. Kroetsch continued to make an impact for King's, propelling her team ahead 19-17 with her 13th kill. The visitors had some key blocks late and wrapped up a 25-22 victory.

Queens middle Sydney Rix's fourth kill provided her team a 9-5 edge in the fourth set. Outside hitter Jaiden Ferguson, who entered the match in the second set, pounded her 12th kill to give the Polytechnic a five point cushion (19-14). The Eagle's Sam Lieuwen brought her team within four with her 11th kill (18-22), but they couldn't draw even. The Queens earned a 25-19 decision.

In the fifth set, Carlson applied service pressure, which included an ace, helping RDP to take an early 5-1 edge. The home team was able to carry on that momentum, winning 15-5.

North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game Ferguson totaled 13 kills, 10 digs, two assists, one ace, and one of the team's 19 blocks. Pearman had a game high 18 kills and three of the team's seven aces. Danielle Wiens (15 assists) and Emma Letkeman (30 assists) shared the setter duties. 

Eagles top performer Jada Lea accumulated 40 assists, 20 digs, two of the team's four aces, two of the Eagles' eight blocks, and one kill. Kroetsch and Gagnon powered the King's offence with 14 kills apiece. Katie Wood had 27 digs.

On Saturday, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens will play the Lakeland College Rustlers for ACAC gold at 8 pm.

The King's University Eagles will challenge the Briercrest College Clippers on Saturday at 6 pm for bronze.