Red Deer rolls into the semifinals after 3-0 victory over The King’s University

February 22, 2024 –With their sights set on being competitive when they host the CCAA women's national volleyball championships in March, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens rolled to a 3-0 straight-sets victory over The King's University Eagles in the ACAC women's volleyball championships Thursday night at Lethbridge College.

"We've had lots of self-pressure throughout the season trying to get to a level to be able to represent well at nationals," said Red Deer head coach Talbot Walton. "Today we allowed ourselves to be ourselves, to have confidence in ourselves and our skills and let it go."

Red Deer took the first set 25-16 and held a 24-20 lead in the second set before the Eagles rallied to within a point. The Queens took the next point to end the set, then wrapped up the match with a dominant 25-12 third-set win.

Walton said the second set provided an example of why it's important to keep focused on the next point when the momentum starts to shift, and to fall back on all the prep work that has gone before. "You can't think about what you should have done. You have to think about what you're going to do next."

The Queens lineup features four players who received All-Conference recognition this season, not to mention the South's Rookie of the Year, Raya Roesler (first year, Practical Nursing Diploma).

"We did have good representation," Walton said with a laugh. "I have to thank my fellow South coaches for voting for them."

"We do have very good depth," he added, noting that bodes well for the future of the program.

He praised the play of the Queens' Player of the Game, setter Emma Letkeman (fourth year, Business Diploma). "She did a really good job. She served well, blocked well and ran a very good offence."

The Eagles' Player of the Game was setter Kylan Finseth (second year, Interdisciplinary Science), who led her team with 21 assists and 10 digs. Brooke Risselada (third year, Psychology), All-Conference at outside hitter, shared the team lead in kills (six) with MacKenzie Bruce (second year, Environmental Science).

Letkeman had 19 assists for the Queens while outside hitter Jaiden Ferguson (fourth year, Business Administration General) led with 12 kills. Roesler and Rachel Perry (third year, Business Diploma) each had eight kills.

The Eagles finished the season in third place in the North with 16-3 record while Red Deer claimed second place in the South with a 13-6 mark.

Players of the Game|

Eagles|#10 Kylan Finseth

Queens|#18 Emma Letkeman