On the scoresheet it will say 3-0, but Saturday's home opener was anything but easy for the visiting St. Clair Saints. The Lady Royals dropped their first match of the season at home to the visitors from Windsor in a tightly contested match in front of a packed crowd in Ancaster.
Despite the sweep for the Saints, the match was closer than may appear. 4 points separated both teams through the first two sets as the Saints took the first in extras, 27-25, and the second, 25-23. The Royals found themselves leading late in all three sets before struggling to close them out, including a 24-23 advantage in the first.
2nd-year
Abby Sluys had a team high 11 points for the Royals. Lexi Nieman led the team in assists with 22 while Cassie Heibuurt had 7 digs.
While the Saints were strong offensively, the Royals held the advantage defensively. Redeemer had a game-high 25 digs and was outstanding at the net with 8 blocks. Kaitlin Homan,
Jenna Noordstra, and Lexi Nieman each had a pair while
Alena Reenders and
Abby Sluys each added one of their own.
The Royals will now have a few days to prepare for their first road match of the season. Redeemer will be in tough as they travel on Thursday to Humber to battle the Hawks. The Hawks are the reigning OCAA Gold medalists and will be another great early season test for the Royals. Thursday's match is Humber's first of the season and the team's home opener.
