RDP Athletics Awards Night filled with success, pride and laughter

With Tess Pearman, from Queen’s Volleyball, and Axsivier Lawrence, from Cross Country and Indoor Track, as Masters of Ceremonies (MC), the audience, comprising of 14 teams, remained in continuous laughter right from the opening speech. Poking fun at every sport and memorable moment, it even had Cody Boulding, from King’s Volleyball, re-enact the infamous Will Smith slap across Lawrence’s face. The MC’s had a costume change to match each sport award presented as coaches hugged every winner presented on stage.

After an absence of more than a year from Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) competition due to COVID-19, this 2021/2022 season had RDP teams and individual student-athletes winning 10 ACAC gold, eight silver and six bronze, along with two Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national bronze medals.

Three students in particular were given special recognition. Kaylee Domoney, of Queens Volleyball, was chosen as the Red Deer Bottling 2021/2022 Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year. Kings Volleyball’s Maddux Greves was selected as this year’s Red Deer Bottling Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year. Kevin Szymanek, a fourth-year forward on the Kings Basketball team, received the Al Ferchuk Leadership Scholarship.

Kaylee Domoney, Maddux Greves, and Kevin Szymanek. (left to right) (Red Deer Polytechnic)

Over 16 matches, Domoney, was the program’s leading libero in digits with 148 digs (2.90 digs per set), 23 assists and one kill, helping to lead the Queens Volleyball team (16-0) to first place in the south. The Queens eventually won ACAC gold, the 20th in the program’s history, and CCAA bronze in Charlottetown.

“Kaylee is one of the best liberos in the country and has been the bedrock of Queens Volleyball,” says Chris Wandler, RDP Queens Volleyball Interim Head Coach. “She is one of RDP’s leading athletes of all time and is most deserving of this accolade.”

Six years with RDP and graduating in Business Administration, Domoney finished her ACAC Women’s Volleyball career with 1,153 digs, ranking first on the Queens and fifth in league history.

While Domoney is leaving RDP Queens Volleyball with a lengthy list of team and individual honours, she says she will treasure the journey and relationships.

“Just enjoy it,” she said. “We have an opportunity to represent the college and taking that opportunity to really show what you can do and not everybody gets this opportunity. So take advantage of it and making the most of it, in the classroom and on the court, with your teammates.”

Greves, Male Athlete of the Year, helped to lead the Kings Volleyball (12-4) to first place in the south, along with the program’s 20th ACAC gold medal, and CCAA bronze, playing as setter, server, and leader.

“Maddux impacts the game in every facet, and he constantly brings out the best in his teammates,” said Aaron Schulha, RDP Kings Volleyball Head Coach. “His impact on the game cannot be understated and the proof is in the Kings undefeated ACAC record with him on the floor.”

The fourth-year Business Administration General student contributed 353 assists, 55 digs, 40 aces, 20 kills and four blocks over 12 regular season matches.

Completing his first season with the Kings and with just one more to go, Greves said the best part was getting to know his teammates who helped him along the way.

Not initially planning to play volleyball this year, he said he realized he had more to give the sport after speaking with Coach Schulha. From Calgary, he said Red Deer and the school now feel like home.

“It’s just the culture of excellence. People demand a lot out of each other,” he said. “I think that’s just something that helps me stay motivated and pushes a team to be great.”

The All-Conference selection also broke a 20-year old league service ace record, accumulating 14 in one match. Greves led ACAC Men’s Volleyball with 1.05 aces per set and was named for numerous CCAA recognitions.

Szymanek, receiving the Al Ferchuk Leadership Scholarship, helped lead the Kings Basketball team (9-7) to place third in the south during the regular season. The Bachelor of Business Administration General student started 14 contests, averaging 5.7 points and six rebounds per game.

Co-Chair of the RDP Student-Athletes Advisory Council, he helped organize several initiatives in the community throughout the year, like a Drive-Thru Food Drive and the Bleed Green Challenge Blood Drive. He also coached at Eastview Middle School and ran basketball camps.

“Kevin models exemplary citizenship to his peers at Red Deer Polytechnic on how to freely give back his gifts and talents,” says Darren Graham, RDP Kings Basketball Head Coach.

Multiple other awards from RDP, CCAA and ACAC were given to student-athletes for various achievements including academic excellences. Coaches were also presented with recognition.

Click here for the complete list of winners.

While this season had a reduced number of games, it is expected that the ACAC will return to a more typical schedule in 2022/2023.

by Alessia Proietti

RDP Athletics Awards Night filled with success, pride and laughter

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