Carlson and Queens continue undefeated streak with home victory over Trojans

Brent Forster - Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics

Red Deer, AB – Despite not having their most dominant performance of the season, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens showed resilience and downed the SAIT Trojans in straight sets (25-15, 25-17 and 25-21). 

"We seemed to be a little bit flat at times. It was coming out a little bit in our play," said Chris Wandler, Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Volleyball Head Coach. "We had a chat about that during a couple of timeouts and the girls knew what the problem was and created some energy with the next point, and kept fighting for the next piece of energy. That translated to a string of points, especially at the end of the third set." 

North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game Anna Carlson played an effective match. Hitting for 0.500 per cent efficiency, the Bachelor of Science Nursing student from Sylvan Lake recorded eight kills, six digs, two blocks, and one assist.

"Eight kills on 12 attempts, that's pretty good. She's an energy generator and gives all the time and we need those types of people on the court," said Wandler. "It takes a lot to do that and in my opinion it's a great leadership quality. She had a tremendous match that way."

Leanne Arnott picked up the recognition for the Trojans, totaling seven kills (0.538%), seven digs, two assists, one block, and one of the team's two aces.

Leah Serlin led SAIT with eight kills. Taryn Corkery chipped in with four. 

Loos (2)

Vanessa Loos (two) and Jaiden Ferguson (two) totaled half of the Queens' eight service aces. Setter Emma Letkeman had 32 assists, two digs, one ace and a kill. Middle McKenna Olson, a Bachelor of Science Nursing student, picked up six kills. Jaiden Ferguson and first-year Abby Lowe added five kills apiece for the Polytechnic. 

Each team accumulated four blocks. 

Letkeman (18)

The Queens have roared out to a 7-0 start without dropping a single set. The first place team is the only undefeated squad in Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women's Volleyball. 

"We are doing the things that we do in practice every day. Everything comes off our serve and our pass," explained Wandler.

"The speed of our offence comes off our pass. It took us awhile to generate a good pass tonight, but for the most part the first half of the season has been with everyone contributing in some form. That's exactly what we need moving into the second half and hopefully whatever that leads into. Eighteen people going in the same direction and pulling on the same rope."

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (7-0) will challenge the SAIT Trojans (2-5) on the road on Saturday, December 4 at 8 pm in their final conference match of 2021.