Queens Sweep Rustlers in straight sets

In the final game of the opening day of competition, the Lakeland Rustlers faced off against the Red Deer College Queens. Red Deer was able to jump out to a quick lead going up 4-0 quickly. Lakeland battled back but was only able to trade side-outs with the queens as Red Deer quickly jumped out to an 11-5 lead. Another quick point from both sides and the Queens led by 6 with the score hitting the midway point. The Queens were very efficient in their attack early in the first set, converting on a very high percentage of opportunities. With the midway point passed, the Rustlers started to try and chip away at the Queens lead. the Queens however were able to hold on to a 5 point lead up 17-12 and forcing the Rustlers to take a timeout. The Queens came out of the break and continued to match every Lakeland point, maintaining their lead. Down 16-21 the Lakeland bench burned their second timeout in an effort to swing the momentum late in the set. Red Deer was able to continue their momentum and pull away further late, putting a stranglehold on the set 24-17. Only needing 2 more serves, the Queens won 25-18 taking a 1-0 set lead.

The second set opened with the Queens holding serve on a nice defensive play. The Rustlers were quick to match with a nice kill but the Queens pulled ahead once again opening up a 5-2 lead early. The Rustlers were quick to respond however, but the Queens were able to match and held on to the slim lead as the score approached 10. The Rustlers continued to battle and tied the set up at 9 points each. Rustlers Setter Jana Laing came up with a big solo block to tie it at 10 on a good chance for the Queens to extend their lead. The teams remained within a point of one another. The score was knotted at 15 with neither team really holding the balance of momentum. The Rustlers opened up a tiny lead that was quickly erased with both teams scoring 2 back to back. The Queens held the service advantage until an Erin Neufeldt block opened up a 21-19 lead for Red Deer. Down 22-20 the Rustlers took their first timeout. The Queens pulled away again late, going up 24-21 and forcing the Rustlers to take a timeout. The Queens finished off the set and won 25-22 going up 2 sets to 0.

The Lakeland Rustlers started off the third set with an ace and an error from behind the line. The Queens took the momentum from here opening up a 5-1 lead with the help of 2 Emma Letkeman aces. Lakeland did not roll over but continued to trail as the Queens extended their lead, going up 10-4. Red Deer continued their strong play doubling the Rustlers score 14-7. Down now 8-17 Lakeland took Their second timeout in an effort to do anything to get back in the set. Red Deer committed 3 unforced errors coming out of the break and still led, but the Rustlers had started to chip away. Red Deer had the game in hand up 19-11 only needing to cruise. The Rustlers did not want to go down easily and started to make nose late. The Queens were able to turn to Erin Neufeldt late to come up with some crucial kills to save their momentum. The Red Deer Queens were able to hang on despite a late push from Lakeland taking the match in straight sets, winning the third 25-16.

The ACAC Players of the game were Emma Letkeman for RDC and Jenay Varga for Lakeland.