Lions dethrone the Queens in four sets

Red Deer, October 28, 2023 - The Ambrose University Lions bounced back in a positive way as they defeated the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens in four sets, a day after the Queens swept the Lions in three straight.  

For the first few points of the opening set, the Lions and Queens were just exchanging points but Ambrose would pull away to take a 12-8 lead. In the late stages of the match, the Queens would slowly diminish the Lions lead with some great serving from outside-hitter Emma Holmes (Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences) and tie the match up at 21. It was neck-and-neck from here with the Lions finding that crucial two-point lead when it mattered most to take the set 26-24.

Some great serving by middle-blocker Jailyn Stouffer (Legal Assistant) to start the set helped the Queens bounce back and take an early lead. But Lions outside-hitter Lauren Huntley (Bachelor of Arts in Psychology) would return the favour by going on a run of her own from the service line to tie it up at eight. The Queens would pull away to take a 17-13 lead backed by a Holmes service run which led to an Ambrose University timeout. But the Lions were not out as they battled back to take a 22-19 lead backed by some great blocking at the net by outside-hitter Faith Solecki (Bachelor of Science in Biology). Ambrose would take the second set 25-22 off a solo block from outside-hitter Jillian Bieraugle (Bachelor of Science in Behavioural Sciences).

Facing defeat, the Queens changed up their lineup and were ready to fight to stay in the match. But a service run by Solecki helped the Lions jump out to a 12-8 lead in the third set. But the Queens were able to dig themselves out of their early hole with some great serving to take a 20-15 lead into the Lions final timeout of the set.  Ambrose would gain two points on the Queens but it was not enough as the Polytechnic would take the third set 25-18.

The Lions would jump out to an impressive 14-7 lead over the Polytechnic before Head Coach Talbot Walton called a timeout in hopes of stopping the bleeding. Following the timeout, Ambrose would gain two more before the Queens would take advantage of a service error but not before middle-blocker Brooklyn Deol (Business Administration) served seven in a row. Facing match point, the Queens would score four points to come within five of the Lions with both outside-hitter Jaiden Ferguson and middle-blocker Raya Roesler picking up two kills. But it wasn't enough as out of the Lions timeout, Solecki would pick up her eighth kill of the match to take the fourth set 25-19.

The players of the game were awarded to Lions Lauren Huntley and Queens Autumn Roos. Huntley had 10 kills while Roos had five in the match.

The Queens will be on the road next week starting in Grande Prairie as they take on the Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves while the Ambrose University Lions will have the bye next week but will be back in action on November 11 when they host the University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings at 4 pm.

Players of the game: Lauren Huntley (Lions) and Autumn Roos (Queens)