RDP Kings get by Broncos in four sets

Red Deer, AB – Led by outside hitter Reece Lehman's 13 kills, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Volleyball team powered past the Olds College Broncos in four sets (23-25, 25-20, 25-22 and 25-9).

In the opening set, the Broncos jumped out to a 13-10 lead with kills from Reed Grusing Phillip Sutherland, and Haiden Hurtig. Kings Head Coach Aaron Schulha called a timeout which provided the home team a bit of a spark. Service pressure from RDP setter Maddux Greves, which included an ace, tied the set 21-21. Broncos Braden Bates eventually capped off the opening set 25-23.

Kings first-year outside hitter Brett Lower went on a string of four consecutive serves (one ace) in the second set which helped the home team take a slight 10-9 edge. Broncos six-foot-three outside hitter Reed Grusing kept the visitors close with a pair of kills, but it wasn't enough. Brett Lower finalized the second set 25-20 for the Polytechnic with a kill from the right side.

Reece Lehman pushed the Kings ahead 11-9 in the third set with a kill from the left, which was his seventh of the match. In a back and forth set, Olds College six-foot-five middle Braden Bates gave the visitors a temporary 17-16 edge. Three late kills from Reece Lehman helped solidify a 25-22 RDP win.

In the fourth set, the Kings roared out to a 10-1 edge with more service pressure from Maddux Greves. The home team kept the pressure on, sealing the fourth set 25-9.

Reece Lehman was named the North Star Sports Kings Player of the Game. The Bachelor of Kinesiology student led the Polytechnic with 13 kills. He added three digs, two aces, one stuff block and hit for 0.296 percent efficiency.

Reed Grusing received top honours for the Broncos and finished with a 0.217 hitting percentage. Grusing totaled nine kills, five digs and one stuff block.

Broncos setter Thomas Pugsley totaled 23 assists, five digs and one kill.

Red Deer Polytechnic outside hitters Patrik Toze (12 kills) and Brett Lower (11 kills) contributed in the home win. Middles Cody Boulding (five kills) and Dillon Gauci (four kills) were solid at the net. Libero Jonathan (JJ) Graham accumulated eight digs for the Kings.

Maddux Greves had 35 assists and four of the Kings' 10 service aces. Phillip Sutherland recorded two of the Broncos' three aces, along with six kills.

The Olds College Broncos (1-3) are back in action on Thursday, November 25 when they face the Lethbridge College Kodiaks (2-2) in Olds at 6 pm.

On Friday, November 26, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings (4-0) will host the Medicine Hat College Rattlers (0-2) at 6 pm.