Competition was tough, but it wasn't the weekend that the Redeemer Royals Volleyball and Basketball teams were hoping for as the programs went winless on Friday and Saturday against the Humber Hawks and the Fanshawe Falcons. A difficult match-up on both sides, saw Redeemer's opponent dominate in all four contests. Redeemer's Badminton team was the lone team to show success this weekend, finishing in 3rd place at the Georgian Invitational Team Challenge.

Volleyball
It was certainly an eventful Halloween night on Friday at the Redeemer Athletic Centre as the Royals played host to the Humber Hawks in their 2014-2015 home openers. Not phased by the loud and energetic crowd, the Hawks played poised and defeated the Lady Royals 3-0 and the Men's team 3-1.

Redeemer's volleyball teams had a full gym of screaming fans backing them in the opener. The season's first games, in the confines of Ancaster, have become quite the event to attend early in the academic year. Despite the energy in the building, both men's and women's team struggled in their home gym, making unforced errors that cost them as the Hawks took full advantage.

The Lady Royals lost 3-0 with set scores of 25-13, 25-16, 25-10. The Men's team kept the match close through the first two games losing the first 25-23 and then winning the second 25-21 before struggling in the 3rd and 4th losing both 25-17.

Humber hands the Lady Royals their first defeat of the season (OCAA 2-1), while the men's team will look to stop their two game slide (OCAA 1-2) when both teams host the Niagara Knights on Friday November 7th.

Basketball
The Basketball teams traveled to Fanshawe College on Saturday as both programs were looking to rebound from opening night losses to the Humber Hawks on October 28th.

A difficult 3rd quarter for the Lady Royals proved to be the difference in their game as Fanshawe outscored them 27-13. The Falcons put the game out of reach after a very competitive 1st half that saw Redeemer down by only 9 at the end of the second quarter.

The Royals played well but couldn't match Fanshawe's shooting. For Redeemer, it has been a tough start to the season facing both Humber and Fanshawe in their opening matches. Both men's and women's teams have a more favorable schedule as the month of November progresses.

The Men's match was a game of runs as Fanshawe jumped out to a huge lead in the 1st half pushing them up by 20 going into the break. Seemingly out of the game, the Royals regrouped at halftime and came out with new life in the 2nd half. Redeemer would open the third quarter on a 18-0 run, cutting Fanshawe's lead to just 2.

However, the Royals were unable to sustain their momentum as the Falcons slowly regained their large lead, adding a number of points late in the 4th quarter to win 91-70.

The Women's team (OCAA 0-2) and the Men's team (OCAA 0-2) are both on the road on Friday as they travel across town to battle the Mohawk Mountaineers.

Badminton
It was another strong weekend for Redeemer's Badminton team as the Royals came away with a 3rd place finish at the Georgian College Team Challenge Invitational.

Redeemer finished 1st in their pool after round robin play with a 4-1 record. Redeemer crossed over with Seneca's A team in the semi-finals. The Royals lost their head-to-head tie with the Sting (5-2) which placed them in the 3rd place game.

In the 3rd place match up, Redeemer defeated Seneca B 5-2.

Redeemer had an overall tie record of 5 wins and 2 losses. Their overall match record was 31 wins and 18 losses.

Next up for Redeemer's Badminton team is the Fanshawe College Invitational on November 14-15.