Queens Volleyball 2021/2022 Season Preview
2019/2020 Season Review (Absence of competition in 2020/2021 due to COVID-19)
The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (21-3) placed second during the regular season in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women's Volleyball South Division. Then the Queens earned ACAC silver and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national bronze.
2019/2020 ACAC Awards
ACAC Women's Volleyball South All-Conference team – Emma Holmes (outside hitter), Alexandria Greenshields (middle blocker), Kaylee Domoney (libero)
ACAC Women's Volleyball South Rookie of the Year – Emma Letkeman (setter)
2020/2021 Red Deer Polytechnic Athletics Awards (Even though there was no formal competition last season, RDP Athletics celebrated academic achievements, leadership, and community involvement)
Dean's List – Student-athletes who achieved a 3.5 GPA or higher, with a minimum of 9 credits in Fall 2020 Term - Anna Carlson, Emma Holmes, Erin Neufeldt, McKenna Olson, Sydney Rix, Jade Van Dyke, Kira Weddell
Pearman (8)
Jon Walsh Memorial Queens Volleyball Scholarship in Search of Excellence – Tess Pearman
2021/2022 Season Preview
Head Coach – Chris Wandler
In 2019/2020, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Volleyball team won ACAC silver and CCAA bronze, but the student-athletes and coaches have their sights on improving this season.
"We want to chisel away and make our game better every day," said Chris Wandler, Red Deer Polytechnic Queens Volleyball Head Coach. "Hopefully in the end that will bring us to where we want to be, which is improving the colour of our medals."
Assistant Coaches – Talbot Walton, Bronwyn McIntyre, Katie Maetche, Geoff Trentham, Amberly Jeane
Returning players from 2019/2020
Wandler will rely on the leadership and experience from the nine returning student-athletes from 2019/2020. The returnees include fifth-year Kaylee Domoney, an ACAC South All-Conference libero, and second-year setter Emma Letkeman, an ACAC Women's Volleyball South Rookie of the Year two years ago.
Red Deer's Domoney recorded 288 digs two seasons ago (3.47 digs per set), ranking ninth in ACAC history with 1,005 career digs. Victoria's Letkeman had 570 assists, placing second in the south division with 8.64 assists per set.
Outside hitters Tess Pearman (217 kills), Jaiden Ferguson, and Vanessa Loos are back with the Queens. Middles McKenna Olson, Sydney Rix, and Kira Weddell, along with libero Edyn Aasman have also returned in 2021/2022.
The veteran student-athletes will provide mentorship in a variety of capacities.
"It's a good fundamental crew that we have back from two years ago and a strong nucleus of women. It's important for them to lead by example. This group knows how much work it takes daily to get to nationals and what that experience is like," said Wandler. "They realize what they're capable of but have that veteran insight to know that success doesn't happen overnight. We have different types of leaders and that's what's great about this group."
New players in 2021/2022
The Queens have two transfers who will be key contributors this season.
"Jadyn Leong transferred from SAIT and was an ACAC South All-Conference selection. She led the league in kills two years ago with 317. She is super dynamic and will add depth on the outside," said Wandler.
"Anna Carlson, from Mount Royal University, is an outside hitter and will assume the role that Emma Holmes had two years ago. That depth piece is really what benefitted us two years ago in the national bronze medal match, with players like Jaiden Ferguson coming off the bench and absolutely crushing it."
The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens added six first-year student-athletes for 2021/2022, including four from Alberta.
"We are really excited about our young group coming in. We have one local girl, Jailyn Stouffer, from St. Joe's High School. Autumn Roos is out of Ponoka. Abby Lowe from Olds, a middle blocker. Randi Gill is an outside hitter from Drumheller who has a lot of potential," said Wandler.
"Avery Tonnies is an outside hitter from Swift Current. She is on the mend from shoulder surgery. Danielle Wiens is a setter out of Regina and has made some great strides during training. Morgan Boisvert is a five-foot-11 outside hitter from Vernon and is very dynamic. She will be a good player for us in the future."
Non-conference games
The Red Deer Polytechnic Queens participated in eight exhibition games, earning a 7-1 record. These non-conference matches served many purposes.
"The whole goal of playing exhibition games is to find out what the student-athletes are capable of doing. That comes from giving players opportunities to see what they've learned and how much they can progress," said Wandler. "That's why it's important to play a lot in the preseason – to get more comfortable on the court and around each other. We also solidified our starting group during the last couple of preseason games."
With the ACAC Women's Volleyball season around the corner, Wandler is excited to begin competition with a team that is chock-full of potential.
"I think everyone is looking forward to the season. We have the opportunity to show gratitude for being able to play volleyball this year, and I think that will come out in our play," he said. "I am very happy with where we are at this stage. I am really looking forward to our first weekend against the Lethbridge College Kodiaks."
The Kodiaks will host the Queens on Friday, November 12 at 8 pm to open the 16 game regular season.
Please refer to the online Red Deer Polytechnic ticketing page for more information about purchasing game tickets to watch the Queens Volleyball team compete.
Not returning from 2019/2020
Carrington Berezowski, Kelly Heinemann, Emma Holmes, Alexandria Greenshields, Jade Van Dyke, Erin Neufeldt, Alyson Shuya, Brook Ure