The RDP Kings Volleyball team. (Supplied)

By RDP Athletics

ALBERTA CONFERENCES ATHLETIC COLLEGE

RDP Kings Volleyball set sights on ACAC Championship

Oct 21, 2024 | 1:00 PM

The Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Kings Volleyball team features a cohesive group of talented student-athletes who are prepared to make an impact in the 2024/2025 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) season.

“Both pre-season action and training have been going well,” says Aaron Schulha, RDP Kings Volleyball Head Coach. “We had a pre-season record of 4-1, but more importantly, all of our players saw significant court time. I really like the team dynamic with this group—the guys are hungry and competitive, but they keep things light and work hard.”

Last season, the Kings secured a bronze medal at the ACAC Championship in February, marking the 30th medal in the program’s history. They finished the regular season in first place in the South Division with an impressive 16-3 record.

Schulha, the 2023/2024 ACAC Coach of the Year, welcomed back several student-athletes from last year’s team, including some who were part of the squad that earned a silver medal at the 2022/2023 ACAC Championship. This list of student-athletes includes left-side Colby Nemeth (Bachelor of Commerce) who finished ninth in the conference in service aces per set (0.41) and right-side Brett Lower who was the South Division Rookie of the Year in the 2021/2022 campaign.

“Colby Nemeth has been outstanding in the preseason, and I expect him to take a big step forward this year to become one of the best left sides in the league,” explains Schulha. “Brett Lower has been solid for us for a long time. He’s a gamer and I expect him to embrace this opportunity. I also believe our middle depth is among the best in the league and it should be a major strength for us this year.”

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Rounding out the left-side depth are Zach Neufeld (Edmonton), Dante Furlan (Business Administration) and Nicolas Possingham (Heathfield, South Australia). The returning middle blockers include Owen Langberg (Open Studies), Dillon Gauci (Bachelor of Kinesiology), Evan Ockerman (Elk Point, AB) and Rylan Teasdale, (Bachelor of Education).

As for recruits, Coach Schulha secured three local student-athletes: Drew Dykstra (Bentley), Liam Hartt (Olds) and Ty Flemming (Red Deer). Kings Volleyball also welcomed libero Bradley Noskey (Business Diploma) who joined the program after transferring from the University of Calgary Dinos Volleyball team.

“Bradley Noskey should be one of the best liberos in the league this season and I am excited to see his continued growth on the court,” says Schulha. “Drew Dykstra is a supremely talented young setter. He thinks the game at a high level and the sky’s the limit for him. Ty Flemming and Liam Hartt have both been positive additions to the program, bringing a great work ethic and tackling a steep learning curve which is exciting to watch.”

The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings will open the new season against the Ambrose University Lions at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre on Friday, October 25 at 8 pm.

For more information about Kings Volleyball, please visit: rdpolytechathletics.ca.