RDP Athletics announces Athletes of the Week

In Friday’s semi-final, the Bachelor of Education Elementary student from Ponoka recorded a match high 18 kills, along with 19 digs, three aces and two blocks in a five set victory over The King’s University Eagles (23-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-19 and 15-5).

With gold on the line, the ACAC South All-Conference team selection played a strong match against the Lakeland College Rustlers, helping the Queens to win in four sets (25-23, 23-25, 25-14 and 25-20). She totaled 13 kills, 10 digs, one block, one assist and an ace, and was named the North Star Sports Queens Player of the Game.

“When we needed a big kill, Tess got it,” said Chris Wandler, Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Volleyball Interim Head Coach. “That just gave everyone a spark.”

Pearman and the Queens will compete at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Women’s Volleyball National Championship from March 25-27 in Prince Edward Island.

2. Reece Lehman – Kings Volleyball

Hometown – Red Deer, Alberta. Bachelor of Kinesiology (4th year)

Six-foot-three outside hitter Reece Lehman was a difference maker in the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings Volleyball team’s gold medal victory at the ACAC Championship in Edmonton.

Lehman was very efficient on the outside in Friday’s ACAC semi-final, recording seven kills and a 0.700 hitting percentage in a sweep over The King’s University Eagles (25-22, 25-23 and 25-19). The Bachelor of Kinesiology student added one dig and two of the RDP Kings’ 12 aces.

Then in the finals against NAIT, the fourth-year elevated his game in the Kings’ four set decision on Saturday (25-22, 24-26, 25-22 and 27-25). Red Deer’s Lehman contributed a team high 18 kills with an impressive 0.577 hitting percentage, helping the RDP Kings earn their 20th ACAC gold medal. He added two digs, two assists, one block, and five of Red Deer Polytechnic’s 10 service aces. For his tremendous impact and performance, Lehman was recognized as the Kings Player of the Match.

Lehman and the Kings will challenge for their 14th national title at the CCAA Men’s Volleyball National Championship in Québec. Cégep Limoilou will host the event.

This Week in Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Hockey team will begin its best-of-five ACAC Women’s Hockey final against the Olds College Broncos.

Tickets for the ACAC Women’s Hockey Championship will be available online.

Here is a summary of what is happening this week:

Queens Hockey | ACAC Championship | Friday, March 18 | 7 pm | Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre

The first place Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (11-2-2) will play the Olds College Broncos (6-8-1) in game one of the best-of-five ACAC Championship series. The third seed Broncos knocked off the second place NAIT Ooks (11-4-0) in the best-of-three semi-final (2-0, 0-4, and 2-1).

During the regular season, the Queens won all five games against the Broncos, including three shutouts (3-0, 4-2, 2-0, 3-0 and 2-1). All three RDP goaltenders saw action against Olds College.

First-year netminder Tanya Disotell-Dunsmore received three starts and recorded a pair of shutouts. Maple Ridge’s Madison Fox earned a 2-0 shutout in her lone start against the Broncos. First-year Izzy Palumbo picked up a 2-1 decision in her only game against Olds College.

Over five games against the Broncos, Queens second-year forward Madison Sansom had at least one point in four contests. Both Spruce Grove’s Natalie Buttle and Valleyview’s Jailyn Bablitz contributed a pair of goals in the series.

The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens dominated the goaltending and team defence statistics over the 15 game regular season. Disotell-Dunsmore led the league with a 0.58 goals against average and 0.969 save percentage. Teammate Fox was close behind in second with 0.83 and 0.965. Both RDP goalies shared the ACAC lead with a 0.833 winning percentage. Palumbo also had an outstanding season, finishing with a 1.44 goals against average and 0.954 save percentage.

Broncos top goaltender Cienna Kinghorn ranked fifth in the ACAC with a 2.50 goals against average and 0.917 save percentage.

The Queens only allowed 0.91 goals against per game, ranking first in the league by one goal. NAIT was second (1.91 goals against). The Olds College Broncos were third, allowing 2.73 against per contest.

The Polytechnic also had the top penalty kill in ACAC Women’s Hockey, stopping 94.6 per cent of its opponents’ opportunities with the extra skater. The Broncos’ penalty kill sat fourth (78.6%).

RDP forward Mary Hirsch and Olds College’s Hailey Hoogkamp shared fifth spot in league points with 12 each.

Queens Hockey | ACAC Championship | Sunday, March 20 | 7 pm | Olds

The Olds College Broncos will host the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens in game two of the best-of-five final. The remainder of the series will continue the following week.

For more information on Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics, the student-athletes and teams, please visit: rdpolytechathletics.ca.

by rdnewsNOW Staff

RDP Athletics announces Athletes of the Week

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