Redeemer's
Curtiss Straatsma (Brampton, ON) paced the Royals to a hard fought 3-2 victory on Wednesday night on the road against the Fanshawe Falcons. The Royals (OCAA 3-2) got back into the win column after dropping a 5 set match on Friday night to the Niagara Knights. Straatsma's big night included 21 kills, 5 aces, and 3 blocks for a total of 29 points. The total was 1 point short of Redeemer's all-time points-in-a-match record (30) set by Straatsma in 2013.
It was a see-saw match in which Fanshawe went up 1-0 winning the first set 25-23 before the Royals responded by winning the next two 25-22 and 25-18. Looking to close out the match, Redeemer put the pressure on the Falcons but Fanshawe squeaked by to keep the match alive with a 25-23 win in the 4th. The 5th and final set was tight the entire time with the Royals edging out the host 15-13.
The match was an end to a long streak of losses in London that dates back to November of 2006 when Redeemer defeated the Falcons 3-0 at Fanshawe. Since that time, Redeemer's Women's Volleyball program has lost every league match they have played in London, taking only 1 set along the way (2009-2010 lost 3-1).
3 of Redeemer's 5 matches so far this season have gone the distance with the women's team on the better side of the record with 2 wins and 1 loss.
The Lady Royals got a strong effort from
Charlene De Vries (London, ON) once again with 15 points while
Mary Christiaanse (Trenton, ON) added 6 kills and an impressive 7 aces.
Kimberly Stewart (Hope, BC) fueled the offense with a game-high 41 assists.
The Royals continue their road trip this week with a date in Windsor against the 4-1 St. Clair Saints on Saturday. Redeemer will look to contain the Saints strong offense as St. Clair boasts two players in the top 10 in OCAA scoring in Helen Wiebe (3.5PPG) and Shalena Horst (3.4PPG). Straatsma currently leads the OCAA in PPG at 4.2 and kills with 61.
On the Men's side, Fanshawe proved just how difficult it is for the visitor to win in the Falcons gym with a 3-0 win over the Redeemer Royals. 10 kills a piece for
Eric Heidbuurt (Waterdown, ON)and
Mitchell Harris (Smithville, ON) wasn't enough for Redeemer as they dropped the match 25-23, 25-22, and 25-19.
Redeemer's record now slips to 1-4 as the Royals sit tied for 6th place in the OCAA West.
A trip to St. Clair College is next for the Men's team as they will face the 4-1 Saints on Saturday at 3pm. Jason Hernandez will be on Redeemer's radar as the St. Clair star sits in the top 10 in PPG for the Saints at 3.8. Eric Hiedbuurt continues to lead all Royals with 4.5 PPG and sits in 4th in the OCAA.
