The Men's and Women's volleyball teams opened up their season's at home last night in front of a packed house. The Mohawk Mountaineers were the visitors and as always, provided a great night of competition. Unfortunately for Redeemer, Mohawk stole victories in both games and handed the Royals opening night loses.

The opening matches lived up to their billing, as there was only standing room in the Royals gymnasium with many people actually sitting on the floor to get a view of the action. The Royals crowd did their best to provide a home court advantage but in the end, the Mountaineers were able to focus on the game and not their surrounding and come out with the two key victories.

In the women's game, the Lady Royals seemed to be in complete control grabbing an early lead in the first game. However, Mohawk made a late charge and put the pressure on the Royals. Redeemer squeaked out the first set win 25-23. After the comeback in the 1st set, Mohawk seemed to grab all of the momentum heading into the 2nd game.

Mohawk used the momentum to take control in the 2nd and tied up the match at 1-1 with a 25-17 victory. From there, the games remained tight and could have tipped in either teams favor. A few less errors by the Mountaineers gave them the 3rd (25-22) and 4th (25-23) sets and the 3-1 win.

Redeemer's Curtiss Straatsma (Brampton, ON) had a fantastic game for the Royals in the loss. Straatsma led the team in kills (11) and total points (12) and seemed to be all over the court the entire night. She led the team in digs with 13 as her defense proved to be just as strong as her offense. Elise Kollenhoven (Acton, ON) also had a big night for Redeemer finishing with 11 total points from 6 kills, 3 aces, and 2 blocks.

Kristin VanHartingsveldt had a team high 12 total points for the visiting Mountaineers.

In the men's game, the Royals seemed to come out flat while Mohawk proved to be ready to play taking a quick 2-0 lead. Scores from the first games were 25-22 and 25-20. However, halfway through the 3rd game, the momentum seemed to be changing as a few big points got the crowd back into the game. The Royals pulled out a close game winning 25-23. Redeemer rode the energy into the 4th game where they won easily 25-17. In the 5th, both teams battled point for point but unforced errors by the Royals saw them fall behind with Mohawk eventually winning the game 15-13 and the match 3-2.

Eric Heidbuurt (Waterdown, ON) and David Klomps (Surrey, BC) led the Royals offensively. Heidbuurt finished with 16 kills and 21 total points while Klomps added 16 kills and 18 total points. Jesse Dykxhoorn (Holland Marsh, ON) led the team defensively with 11 digs.

Mo Sulaiman had a team high 19 total points for the visiting Mountaineers.

Unforced errors seemed to be the theme of the night for both Royals teams. To many hitting and serving errors cost Redeemer valuable points on opening night. They will try to make things right when they travel to Fanshawe College next Saturday November 9th for games at 6pm and 8pm.

Both matches were broadcasted on Cable 14 and will be played on tape delay this week. Check your local listings to see when the games will be aired!