Ooks complete comeback to stun Kings

Down two sets to none to the CCAA's top-ranked team, the NAIT Ooks didn't flinch and found life when they needed it the most.

The Ooks rallied and willed themselves back from two sets down to defeat the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings in a five-set thriller (23-25, 24-26, 35-23, 25-16, 22-20) to advance to the gold medal match at the 2024 ACAC Men's Volleyball Championship, with the Ooks searching for their first conference championship since 1976-77.

Setters were busy on both sides of the net, as the duo of Mason Gorski and Karter Godin combined for 68 assists for NAIT, while ACAC South All-Conference setter Tom Wass was on point with 63 assists in the matchup, and also adding 14 digs.

Offensively, ACAC North All-Conference outside Shae McIntyre led the charge for the victorious Ooks with 30 kills and 10 digs, while ACAC North All-Conference middle Ross Bishop maintained his effectiveness and efficiency with 15 kills on a .591 hitting percentage while adding six blocks to finish with 21 points. Wyatt Turnbull again played a significant role on both sides of the ball with 14 points (12 points, two blocks) and a team-high 15 digs.

For the Kings, Noah Carlson again lived up to his ACAC South All-Conference billing with another monstrous performance as he posted 34 points (32 kills, two blocks) and nine digs, while Colby Nemeth added 24 points (23 kills, one block) and six digs. Zachary Neufeld was also busy on both sides of the ball as he tacked on nine points (seven kills, one ace, one block) in addition to a team-high 15 digs.

NAIT's win means the champion will come out of the ACAC North, as the Ooks await the winner of the second semifinal between the Keyano College Huskies and the Lakeland College Rustlers, while the Kings will play the loser for bronze at 4 p.m.

Players of the Game
NAIT | Shae McIntyre
RDP | Colby Nemeth