RDP Queens down Rustlers in four sets, earn ACAC gold

Red Deer, AB – The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens used the energy from their home crowd and downed the Lakeland College Rustlers in four sets (25-23, 23-25, 25-14 and 25-20) for Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) gold. 

In a close first set, a stuff block from outside hitter Tess Pearman bumped the RDP Queens ahead 11-10. Lakeland's Jenay Varga kept her team close. With her fourth kill, the outside hitter from Muenster, Saskatchewan had the Rustlers within three (15-18) and they eventually evened it 22-22. Ultimately, a dump ball from RDP setter Emma Letkeman sealed a 25-23 decision.

Lakeland outside hitter Mackenzie Yole's third kill evened the second set 7-7. The teams traded points to 18-18. Rustlers setter Jana Laing continued the strong connection with Varga, who rattled off three consecutive kills to solidify a 25-23 win.

With three consecutive serves from middle Sydney Rix, the RDP Queens captured a 9-4 edge in the third set. RDP's Vanessa Loos entered the match as a serving sub and had an ace, which pushed the Queens ahead by nine (18-9). The home team maintained a lead and a late kill by Jaiden Ferguson, her ninth, helped the Polytechnic pick up a 25-14 victory.

Lakeland's Avery Bates lifted her team to an early 5-3 margin in the fourth set with her seventh kill. The Queens started to climb back into the set. RDP went up 14-10 off Pearman's 12th kill from the left.  The Polytechnic continued to push and solidified a 25-20 win, earning ACAC gold.

The Lakeland College Rustlers picked up silver.

North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game Pearman totaled 13 kills, 10 digs, one block, one assist and one of the team's 10 service aces. Ferguson contributed 13 kills. Libero Kaylee Domoney picked up 17 digs. Carlson had 12 kills (0.455 hitting percentage) and five of the Queens' 10 aces.

Rustlers Player of the Match Laing accumulated 35 assists and four digs. Teammate Varga had 18 kills, 10 digs and three of the Rustlers' six aces. Yole added nine kills and Bates chipped in with eight.  

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens will compete at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women's Volleyball National Championship from March 25-27 in Prince Edward Island. Holland College will host the prestigious event.