ANCASTER, ON.  In a fiercely contested match on Saturday afternoon, the Redeemer Royals put forth an impressive performance against the Niagara Knights, ultimately falling 3-1. The match showcased the Royals' determination and skill, setting a positive tone for their season ahead.

The Royals opened the match with a bang, taking the first set 25-23. The Royals had an efficient match hitting nearly .300%. 

Despite the Royals' strong start, Niagara bounced back in the second set, edging out Redeemer 25-21.  

In the third set, Redeemer continued to fight hard, though they ultimately fell 25-22. 

As the fourth set unfolded, Redeemer refused to back down. They battled hard but ultimately lost 25-23, showcasing their grit and tenacity. Key contributions from Simon Bourne, Jonah Heidbuurt and Davis Young were halted by the Niagara defence. Bourne had a game-high 19 points while hitting .375%. Heidbuurt tacked on 12 points with a .412 hitting percentage. Davis Young was responsible for coordinating the offence, posting 30 assists. 

An outlier in the box score was the Royals service errors. Despite outscoring the Knights by 9.0, the Knights were able to fend of the Royals.

Looking ahead, the Royals will focus on building on their performance against Niagara. With a strong core of players and a commitment to improvement, there is much to be optimistic about for the remainder of the season.

As the competition heats up, the Redeemer Royals will be eager to capitalize on this experience and continue to grow as a team, promising exciting matchups in the weeks to come.