By rdnewsNOW staff

Walton to return as head coach of RDC Queens volleyball team

Mar 27, 2019 | 4:48 PM

Officials with RDC Athletics have announced Talbot Walton will be back as head coach of the Red Deer College Queens Volleyball team for the 2019-20 season.

Officials say Walton previously stepped aside from his role in June 2016 due to medical reasons.   

“We are very pleased that Talbot’s health has improved which will allow him to resume his duties as the head coach of Queens Volleyball for the upcoming season,” says Diane St-Denis, RDC Athletic Director, in a press release. “His wealth of experience will benefit a young team that has a lot of potential.”  

Walton has an impressive volleyball resume with the RDC Queens, guiding them to the top of the nation twice.

He led the team to back-to-back Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Volleyball National Championships in 2014 and 2015, and four Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) gold medals.

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While coaching the Queens, Walton was a four-time ACAC Coach of the Year and a recipient of the CCAA Women’s Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2006.  

During Walton’s absence, RDC Athletics officials say Chris Wandler was at the helm for three years, beginning in 2016-17.

As head coach of the Queens, Wandler led the team to a pair of bronze medals at the ACAC Women’s Volleyball Championships.

Under Wandler’s guidance, the Queens also finished first in the south during the regular season once and second on two other occasions.

In addition, Wandler was also named the 2018-19 ACAC Women’s Volleyball South Coach of the Year after leading the Queens to a 16-8 record.

This past season, the RDC Queens had eight first-year student-athletes on their roster and were one of the most winning squads since November, taking 15 of their last 18 matches.   

“We would like to thank Chris for stepping in during Talbot’s absence and doing a fantastic job with the Queens Volleyball program,” says St-Denis. “Chris has been invited to continue with the team as an assistant coach, but he has not yet made a decision.”  

According to RDC Athletics officials, Wandler will remain with the Red Deer College Queens until June 2019, when the transition back to Walton will be finalized.

(With files from RDC Athletics)