KITCHENER, ON.  Wednesday night OCAA action had four matches between the Redeemer Royals and Conestoga Condors. Royals Volleyball travelled to Kitchener to square off against the Condors while Conestoga Basketball visited the Royals in the den. 

Wednesday's match had the OCAA West 7th vs 8th face-off. Entering the midweek clash the Royals sat one spot ahead of the Condors with only a few weeks remaining in the regular season. The last time the two sides matched up Redeemer reigned victorious in a 3-1 home win. 

The mid-week match did not open up as the Royals planned. Falling behind 2 sets to 0 (25-23, 25-22), the Royals quest for two points became a lot more complicated. 

The Royals fought back in set three with a dominant set win 25-15. A set three win sparked the Royals as they climbed back into the match. 

Set four went in favour of Redeemer 25-21 to force a fifth and final set. The Royals possessed all the momentum heading into the decider. Falling behind early in the fifth set, the Royals trailed at the side change. Conestoga managed to string together two runs late in the fifth set which gave them the separation they needed to close the match. 

Conestoga captured the home victory in five sets over the Royals.

There was a familiar face on the opposite side of the net as former Royals Abby Sluys (2017-2022) suited up for the Condors. Sluys sits among career program leaders with the Royals. The veteran left side recorded 17 points in her debut against Redeemer.

The Royals were led by Avery Surette who recorded 14 points, four of which were service aces. Redeemer's Julia Koksanowicz recorded 40 assists in the five-set match.

Redeemer's next match is on January 18th at Mohawk College. The Royals and Mountaineers will be hosting a food drive at the David Braley Athletic Centre on Saturday. Fans are encouraged to bring two non-perishable food items to the match.