Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics Weekend Recap

It was a tough start to the weekend for Queens Volleyball as they would drop their third match in a row for the first time this season and start the new year off with a 0-3 record after falling to the Ambrose University Lions in five sets. However, that quickly changed on Saturday night in Calgary in their rematch as they were able to sweep the Lions in three sets. The Queens sit tied for second place in the South Division with 14 points, but it is very tight as four points separate the second and sixth-place teams.

Outside-hitter Vanessa Loos (Bachelor of Arts in Psychology) was named the player of the match on Friday night after finishing the loss with 15 kills and an impressive 17 digs. Setter Dani Wiens, also in the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program, was given this honour on Saturday night after RDP says she really helped out setting up the offense for success.

Kings (12-1) vs Ambrose University Lions (7-9)

Friday, January 20 at 8 p.m. at Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre
Saturday, January 21 at 8 p.m. in Calgary

After another sweep on the season, the Kings are currently riding an 11-match win streak. However, they had to work for both wins this past weekend against the Ambrose University Lions who, officials say, were very composed as they faced adversity and a strong team from Red Deer. On both nights, the Kings played right alongside the Lions for the first two sets. “It was quite a battle,” said RDP Athletics. However, in the third set on Friday night, the Kings managed to pull things together and come out with a commanding three-set victory. On Saturday evening, the Kings dropped the third set and had to play an extra set. Yet again, RDP found their groove and were able to win the fourth set 25-14 to win the match.

Setter Maddux Greves (Business Administration) was named the player of the match on Friday night with 38 assists and Saturday, outside-hitter Noah Carlson (Open Studies) finished with his second player of the game nomination in four games.

Basketball

Queens (8-6) vs Ambrose University Lions (7-7)

Friday, January 20 at 6 p.m. in Calgary
Saturday, January 21 at 6 p.m. at Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

Queens Basketball has really turned things around and sits two games above .500 after starting the season with three straight losses. They are undefeated in the 2023 year and are riding a five-game win streak after sweeping the Ambrose University Lions. However, they will be put to the test next week with two games with the SAIT Trojans.

Guard’s Sophie Melin (Bachelor of Arts in Psychology) and Amy Szymanek (Bachelor of Education) were both honoured with the player of the game award this past weekend. Melin had 21 points, three rebounds and three assists in Calgary on Friday night. In front of her local crowd, Szymanek had a 19-point and five-rebound performance on Saturday evening.

Kings (8-6) vs Ambrose University Lions (7-7)

Friday, January 20 at 8 p.m. in Calgary
Saturday, January 21 at 8 p.m. at Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

Like the Kings Volleyball team, officials say the Kings basketball team were put to the test against the Ambrose University Lions, who showed that the school is composed when faced with adversity. they state both these wins for the Kings did not come easy as the Lions came out to fight. They were able to win 84-71 in regulation in Calgary on Friday night partially due to guard Josh Jean (Open Studies) who was on fire from the three-point line as he went seven for eight enroute to a 25-point performance and a player of the game honour. However, in their home gym, they needed a last second score and overtime to win it 92-91. Guard Eduardo Crespo scored 34 points and was the one who tied it up with seconds to go in the fourth quarter.

Hockey

Queens (7-3) at NAIT Ooks (9-1)

Friday, January 20 at 7 p.m. in Edmonton

The Queens just had one game on the schedule this past weekend and it was quite the battle as they were fighting for the top spot in the conference against the NAIT Ooks. The first period went scoreless but on a 5-on-3 powerplay, defense Kyla Hansel (Pharmacy Technician Diploma) fired the puck top shelf to open the scoring. Unfortunately, the Ooks scored three unanswered and walked away with a 3-2 victory. Forward Jordyn McLaughlin (Bachelor of Kinesiology) added the second goal of the night for the Queens, but the comeback fell short.

With one assist on the night, forward Madison Sansom (Social Work) was named the player of the game. They will be back in action with an unusual game day on Thursday as they take on the Olds College Broncos in Olds with the puck dropping just after 7 p.m.

Kings (10-6-1) vs SAIT Trojans (10-6-1)

Friday, January 20 at 7 p.m. in Calgary
Saturday, January 21 at 7 p.m. at Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

The Kings are currently struggling to win on home ice as they start the 2023 year. Both their wins have been on the road with two straight losses in Red Deer. On Friday night, the Kings were up 2-1 but the Trojans stormed back and scored three unanswered goals which looked like it was going to be enough for the win until five minutes left in the period. Red Deer was able to find their groove back and score two goals to tie it up and send it to overtime. In the extra time, forward Jacob Wozney (Bachelor of Education) found himself on a partial breakaway and wristed it to complete the comeback. With two assists on the night, forward Erik Miller (Business Administration) was named the player of the game.

However, the Trojans were able to get their revenge on Saturday night with three powerplay goals conceded by the Kings, which ended up being the difference in a 5-2 loss. With a goal and an assist on the evening, Jacob Kendall was named the player of the game.

Kings and Queens Indoor Track

January 21 hosted by Concordia University of Edmonton

It was a day of adapting for the Kings and Queens Indoor Track team, competing inside instead of outside, as they transition from a cross-country course to an indoor track. RDP Athletics say each athlete commented on how much fun it was and how good they felt about their efforts. For the coaches, Esther Stuart and Douglas Spicer, they say it was a day of supporting their athletes through what was a grueling competition.

Some highlights from the Queens side of things include a strong performance in both the 4 x 200m and 4 x 400m relays, a great run by All-Canadian Jenica Swartz in the 1000m (Bachelor of Science), and Myla Cota (Open Studies) in the 3000m, and encouraging performances by Justine Larson (Bachelor of Education), Emily Barritt (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), and Georgia Sawchuk (Bachelor of Science in Psychology). According to Spicer and his coaching staff, unofficially, the Queens placed in first place with 72 points. As of Sunday afternoon, RDP Athletics say the results have not been posted yet but will update the public with the official results once posted.

On the men’s side, officials say the Kings were led by Ethan Duret’s very fast time of 1:26.79 and placed first in the 600m. All-Conference Dan Szucs ran a strong race in the 3000m in which he finished in the top five, while the two relay teams showed they are forces to be reckoned with. RDP Athletics say every Kings athlete ran at or near personal best times in almost every event at the meet.

Head Coach Douglas Spicer explained the athletes are optimistic as they move on to the next Grand Prix.

“The most encouraging thing [from] the coaches’ standpoint is that, in post-meet discussions with each athlete, they indicated their commitment to redoubling their training efforts in order to continue to improve,” he said.

Both teams say they are very excited to get back to work and are looking forward to further developing their speed at the Running Room Grand Prix #2 on February 18 hosted by Red Deer Polytechnic.

RDP Mixed and Queen Curling (Winter Regional)

January 20-22 hosted by Concordia University of Edmonton

It was a great weekend for RDP in Edmonton at the Winter Regional. The biggest news was that the Queens Curling Club went undefeated at the Avonair Curling Club, which gives them an overall record of 8-2. They are now the first seed heading into the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Championships on March 3-5 hosted by Lakeland College. They defeated the Lakeland College Rustlers 13-3, the University of Alberta-Augustana Vikings 5-4, the NAIT Ooks 5-1, the SAIT Trojans 6-3 and completed their weekend by defeating the Concordia University Thunder 7-2.

After a 3-2 record, the mixed team sits also in first place with a 6-3 record as they prepare for the championships. They defeated the Ooks 10-5, the Portage College Voyageurs 8-6, and the Rustlers 6-3. Their two losses were against the Rustlers (8-3) and the Voyageurs. It was a default loss for RDP against Portage College due to an injured player.

Head Coach Brad Hamilton says he really liked what he saw from Skip Kaylee Raniseth (Bachelor of Education) and newcomer Jared Reay (Educational Assistant).

“Kaylee’s competitive curling experience was on display with both her strategy and shot-making. She will be a huge part of our women’s team moving forward. Jared joined the RDP mixed team less than a month ago. His growth as a curler and positive attitude contributed to the successful weekend for the team and will be integral to the team’s success at the championships,” he said.

They now have just over a month off from ACAC competition before both teams compete for a championship come March in Lloydminster.

by rdnewsNOW Staff

Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics Weekend Recap

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