ELGIN, IL - The Redeemer Royals men's volleyball team opened their run at the NCCAA National Championships with a best-of-three Championship series against the host Judson Eagles.
Redeemer came out strong to begin the series, claiming a tightly contested first set and showing early promise against the home side. However, that opening set victory would be the Royals' only set win of the series, as Judson responded to take the next three sets and secure a 3-1 victory in game one.
Offensively, the Royals struggled to find consistent attacking efficiency, particularly from the outside. While Redeemer's middle attack was highly effective, it remained underutilized throughout the match, combining for 10 kills on just 18 attempts. Despite the team's offensive challenges,
Jeramiah Zomerman provided a bright spot for the Royals, leading the team with an efficient 15.5 points.
Defensively, setter
Ben Brouwer was instrumental in keeping rallies alive, leading all players in the match with 12 digs.
Game two followed a similar pattern, as Redeemer once again battled to establish offensive rhythm. The Royals finished the second match with a .044 hitting percentage, unable to generate the attacking consistency needed to extend the series. Judson capitalized on the momentum and completed the sweep of the series with a 3-0 win in game two.
Much of Redeemer's offensive struggle can be attributed to the long layoff entering the championship, as the Royals had not played a competitive match in nearly two months prior to the NCCAA tournament. Competing on a Canadian schedule, Redeemer's season timeline differs significantly from that of their American counterparts, creating a unique challenge heading into national competition.
Despite the result, the Royals showed resilience throughout the series and gained valuable experience competing on the national stage against the tournament's host programs.
In addition to the on-court competition, the NCCAA National Championships also included the #KingChasing Project, an initiative focused on serving others and living out faith through action. This year, all participating teams assisted Feed My Starving Children with the packing and preparation of meals that will be sent to children in developing countries. The project helped combat hunger while demonstrating compassion and faith in action, making the championship experience about more than volleyball alone.
