(RDP Athletics/Supplied)

By RDP Athletics

Season Preview

Red Deer Polytechnic Kings volleyball team’s winning culture sets the stage for another championship run

Oct 28, 2025 | 4:24 PM

The Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) Kings volleyball team continues to etch its name into collegiate sports history, dominating both the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) and the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).

In the 2024–25 season, the Kings clinched their 21st ACAC gold medal and a record-breaking 14th CCAA National Championship, solidifying their status as the most decorated program in both leagues.

This year’s squad is determined to build on that storied legacy.

Ten student-athletes have returned from last year’s championship team: outside hitters Zach Neufeld, Colby Nemeth, Liam Hartt, Dante Furlan, Brett Lower, liberos Bradley Noskey and Ty Flemming, along with middles Owen Langberg, Evan Ockerman and Rylan Teasdale.

Among them, Nemeth had a standout season in 2024-25, leading the ACAC in kills (302) and kills per set (4.65) and helping guide the Kings to an 18-1 record—the best in the league.

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Nemeth, a Bachelor of Commerce student, earned multiple accolades: CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship Most Valuable Player, ACAC Men’s Volleyball South Player of the Year and the overall ACAC Men’s Player of the Year across all 10 sports. He also secured spots on the ACAC South All-Conference Team and the ACAC Championship First All-Star Team.

Four first-year student-athletes—Jamie Purse (middle), Jay Trowbridge (outside hitter), Gavin Kelly (setter) and Netana Samia (setter)—have been added to the roster.

Additionally, Wizdom Smith (outside hitter) has transferred from Niagara College.

“Netana will play a key role as a starting setter this season,” said Aaron Schulha, head coach of the RDP Kings Volleyball team. “Jay and Wizdom are dynamic outside hitters who are poised to make an impact. We are excited to welcome Jamie and Gavin, two talented local athletes, to the Kings program.”

The team has been steadily strengthening its cohesion week by week.

“The learning curve has been steep for our two first-year setters, but their progress has been encouraging,” added Schulha, the 2024-25 ACAC and CCAA Coach of the Year. “Our setter-hitter connection continues to improve, though it remains a work in progress.”

The Kings posted a flawless 9-0 record in exhibition play, including a win over the University of Alberta Golden Bears of U Sports.

“We went undefeated during exhibition play, but there is still a great deal to work on,” Schulha explained. “We have the potential to be an imposing serve and pass team, but it has been a little inconsistent to this point. We have been focused on addressing that.”

Their title defence recently began when the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings split their opening weekend matches against the NAIT Ooks and University of Alberta Augustana Vikings.

Next, the RDP Kings will play the Keyano College Huskies on Friday, October 31, at 7 p.m. in Fort McMurray.

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