Kings bounce back with a three set victory over the Clippers
Red Deer, February 3, 2024 - The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings bounced back with an impressive three-set victory over the Briercrest College Clippers, a day after falling in four sets.
The Kings got off to a great start on Saturday afternoon as they jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the match with a 25-21 victory in the first set. The Kings won the kill battle in the opening set as they put up 14 to the Clippers 11.
RDP would make it two sets in a row after going on a 3-0 run to close out the set with a 25-17 victory with the Kings earning two of those points off their attack. The Clippers struggled on offence as they finished the set with just 11 kills on 22 attempts for an 18 per cent kill efficiency with the Polytechnic's percentage being well over 60 with outside-hitter Noah Carlson leading the match with 12 kills.
Despite an adamant Clippers squad to stay in the match, the Kings pulled away at the halfway point to take a two-point lead with some great serving from outside-hitter Colby Nemeth (Bachelor of Commerce). But after Briercrest College battled back to tie it and later take a 19-18 lead, the Kings called a timeout. Carlson would tie up the set at 19 with his 500th kill in his four-year post-secondary volleyball career. He would finish with 20 in the win as the Kings defeated the Clippers 25-23 in the third set.
The players of the match were awarded to Clippers outside-hitter Jackson Anderson (Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies) who finished his night with 13 kills. Libero JJ Graham was awarded the honour for the Kings as he played on his home court for the final time in his college career. He had seven digs in the win.
In the final week of regular season volleyball action, the Kings will clash with the University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings on Saturday at 8 pm while the Clippers will face off with The Kings University Eagles at 7 pm on Friday.
Players of the match: Jackson Anderson (Clippers) and JJ Graham (Kings)