The Redeemer Royals hosted the Conestoga Condors Saturday afternoon for an OCAA West matchup. The OCAA West men's volleyball division is always a tightly contested one and this year is no different. Entering Saturday afternoon eight of the ten teams in the Western Conference had a record within one match of each other.
Before the men's match Redeemer had the opportunity to recognize and honour former men's volleyball Coach Wayne Harris as he was inducted into the Redeemer Athletics Hall of Fame. Harris, is one of the most successful men's volleyball coaches in program history. Thanks to his involvement the Redeemer Royals have had numerous Championship contending teams. Despite only 5 years of coaching Wayne's legacy has trickled down into the program and still has lasting effects today. Before the match Wayne was able to share a few words. Wayne shared that Talent without character is wasted Talent. These insights on upholding and building our character in sport as Christian athletes certainly touched all who listened.
Saturday afternoons match was a great one. Opening up the first set the teams were playing high level side out volleyball. The RU Royal family was out in numbers and they were loud, spurring their Royals on to tightly contested opening set. Conestoga took the opening set 25-23.
Bouncing back in the second set the Royals knew what they needed to change. With the lead changing back and forth late into the second set Redeemer pulled away. Sparked by first year middle Silas Breukelman Redeemer closed out the second set 25-20 to level the score at one all.
Redeemer struggled to maintain their momentum heading into the third set. The Condors brought excellent service pressure in the opening points of the third set. Conestoga jumped to an early six nothing lead and then a 10 to 2 lead. Trailing by eight points early in the third set Redeemer could not climb back. Conestoga dominated in the third set and finished 25-14.
The Royals were not going to go down that easy. The Royals readjusted and got comfortable in the fourth set again. Trading points throughout the set switching the lead back and forth. Conestoga led late in the fourth set but the Royals were determined to come back. Sparked by three massive kills from Royals players Conestoga was forced to use a timeout. Out of the time out the Royals were unfazed. Conestoga was able to hold on to their slim lead with immense Redeemer pressure. Match point was nothing but dramatic. The Royals were on a tremendous service run, served a powerful ball down the line which was passed through the rafters, not touching a single beam, the Royals and the crowd thought they had the game brought within one point. However, the ball flew straight through the rafters and was played by the Condors who then scored the game-winning point.
Saturday's match was an excellent match of high level Volleyball. The Royals are quickly beginning to form a elite level team capable of playing with the best in the league. The Royals next match is Wednesday against the Niagara Knights.
