Letkeman and Queens power past Lions in three sets, improve to 10-0

Brent Forster - Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics

Red Deer, AB – Red Deer Polytechnic Queens setter Emma Letkeman kept the Ambrose University Lions defenders guessing. 

The second-year found a variety of targets, helping the Queens to down the visiting Ambrose University Lions in three sets (25-12, 25-17 and 26-24).

"Emma Letkeman did a really good job – lots of good distribution," said Chris Wandler, Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Volleyball Head Coach. 

Letkeman contributed 35 assists, four digs and two kills.

Letkeman's most successful target was outside hitter Tess Pearman, who had a game high 12 kills and finished with a 0.526 hitting percentage.

Pearman (8)

Anna Carlson was named the North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game, totaling 11 kills (0.500), six digs and two blocks.

"Anna was solid in the first two sets. She had 10 kills in those sets," explained Wandler. "I think we lost track of her in the third. We need to give her more volume. She had a really solid night."

Jadyn Leong picked up seven kills and middle McKenna Olson chipped in with six for the Polytechnic. Libero Kaylee Domoney had five digs and an assist. 

Bethany Johnson received the top player recognition for the Lions. Johnson contributed six kills and a pair of digs. Madeline Williscroft led the Lions' offence with nine kills. She added six digs and an assist. Ambrose's Lexi Herrod (12 assists) and Rachel Barg (13 assists) combined for 25 assists. 

Carlson also recorded three of the team's nine service aces. The Lions responded with three.

Carlson (11)

"I thought we did a really good job improving on some things we looked at last night. Our serving was a big part of our game plan coming in – just serving the ball with a little bit more quality and a little bit more care," added Wandler. "We did that tonight and that really helped our transition offence."

The Queens Head Coach offered accolades to an often unheralded student-athlete.

"Vanessa Loos, last night did a fantastic job, and again tonight, she did her job unwavering," praised Wandler. "She serves a quality ball, defends, and passes very well. She takes charge of the backcourt and is a very reliable player when it comes down to those crunch times."

Grande Prairie's Loos had three digs.

Recently, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens added another player. 

"We brought in a third setter to help us out in case there's an injury piece or COVID. Maya Jovanovic has come into practice and helped us out," said Wandler. "She went to Lindsay Thurber and is in her second week with us. I didn't think in my years of volleyball that there'd be such a need for that, but for her to be on the taxi squad type of idea. We are blessed to have her."

The first place Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (10-0) will host the Briercrest College Clippers (5-1) on Friday, January 28 at 6 pm.