ANCASTER, ON - The Conestoga Condors were in town Saturday afternoon to face the Redeemer Royals in OCAA Men's Volleyball action. The Condors (4-1) welcome back long-time head coach Kelly McGuire this season and have been a dominant force being ranked number two in the OCAA and number 15 in the CCAA.
McGuire's Condors have been powered by their dynamic outside-hitting duo, Tyrell Belgrove and Walker Kalin. Belgrove leads the conference with 5.1 points per set, while Kalin sits sixth at 4.2. Containing the pair was essential for Redeemer if they hoped to come away with a victory.
Redeemer dropped the opening set after trading points with Conestoga for most of the frame. The side-out battle kept the score tight, but the Royals fell behind late. A heroic late push brought them close, but the gap was just out of reach as the Condors claimed the first set 25–21. Both teams came out firing, with Conestoga posting 15 kills on a .517 hitting percentage and Redeemer countering with 10 kills at .375.
Momentum began shifting in the second set. The home crowd came alive, fueling the Royals as they continued to excel offensively. Conestoga began to struggle against Redeemer's disciplined blocking and relentless defensive pressure. The Royals made the Condors earn every point, sparked by setter Ben Brouwer's outstanding defensive performance, he recorded a game-high 14 digs. Redeemer took the next three sets 25–18, 25–20, and 25–21, securing a 3–1 victory over the CCAA No. 15 and OCAA No. 2 Condors. With the win, the Royals remain perfect at home (3–0) and improve to 3–3 on the season.
The victory was a true team effort, led by a quartet of standout performances. Outside hitter Simon Bourne delivered 12 points on a .435 hitting percentage. Jared Prinsloo was exceptional, recording a game-high 16 points with a .364 hitting percentage, including three service aces, while adding seven digs. Second-year middle Silas Breukelman continued his strong form with a flawless six kills on zero errors, four aces, and a block. Setter Ben Brouwer steered the offense to a .323 team hitting percentage while anchoring the defense with his 14 digs.
Redeemer's game plan against Conestoga's elite outside hitters, Tyrell Belgrove and Walker Kalin, proved highly effective. The Royals held the high-powered duo to .103 and .138 hitting percentages, respectively, neutralizing one of the Condors' biggest threats.
Redeemer now turns its attention to Thursday's Movember Support Night matchup against the Niagara Knights, where the Royals will debut custom Movember-themed jerseys.
For all things Royals, follow us on Instagram @redeemerroyals.
