The Women and Men's volleyball teams had a busy opening weekend hosting the Cambrian Golden Shield Friday evening and the Boreal Vipers Saturday afternoon.
The weekend began inside the Redeemer Athletic Centre with women's Volleyball taking on the Cambrian Golden Shield. The women came out strong in the first set looking solid and steady, taking it 25-19. After dropping the second set 22-25, Redeemer stormed back in the 3rd taking charge and winning the set handily, 25-15. Cambrian didn't back off, coming back to take the 4th set with an equally decisive score of 16-25.
The women found themselves in a 5th set battle with the Shield leading from the first point. The Royals were able to push back to a score of 10-13, but the Shield's defensive scrappiness proved difficult to crack. The final score of the 5th and deciding set was 10-15 for the Shield.
Fifth-year veteran Abby Sluys led all players earning 15 total points from 13 kills and 2 service aces. Abby Sluys supported Sluys, adding 13 points from 11 kills and 2 blocks. Transfer, Victoria Pancucci had a stellar first game as a Royal, contributing 8 kills, 2 aces and 1 block. This offence was led by Victoria Pancucci in her Royals debut recording 38 assists.
The Women bounced back on Saturday to sweep Boreal in straight sets. It was a true team effort on Saturday with all offensive players recording at least 1 kill. The team was led by Jasmyn Stoffers recording 10 total points.
Men's volleyball is off to a strong start winning both games this weekend. Friday night against the Golden Shield the men took care of business, taking the game in 3 straight sets. The pair of Brett Jenkins and William Winkelhorst each recorded 14 points for their teams. Jason Wildeboer ran a well balanced offence with 21 assists.
On Saturday afternoon, the men took on the Boreal Vipers. After their second set victory of 25-19, it looked as though it would be another 3-0 game for the Royals.
The Vipers were able to rally, coming back to steal a set from the Royals with a score of 22-25. The last time the Royals dropped a single set to Boreal was in 2014. The Royals worked together to turn it around and secured the victory in the 4th set with a decisive score of 25-16.
The Royals were led again on Saturday by the pair of Jenkins and Winkelhorst. Jenkins recorded a game high of 12 points, and Winkelhorst added another 11. Rookie Ben Siebenga had a strong showing in his first game as a Royal earning 11 total points from 8 kills, 2 blocks and 1 service ace.
The Royals will be on the road for their next games against the Humber Hawks on Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
