Halfway done! Here’s how your UKC Blue Devil Winter teams have fared so far this season…
Badminton
Two wins from two tournaments has cemented King’s Badminton as the team to beat in the ACAA. Sporting a number 3 National Ranking in the CCAA Polls, the Blue Devils have been anchored by senior player Bryce Mason, as he continues his mission of earning back-to-back national medals. Newcomers Jack Ronahan and Fiona Purdy have also impressed so far; the former teaming with Mason in Men’s Doubles, and the latter running the table in Women’s Singles. The first tournament of 2020 will be hosted at King’s on Jan. 18, beginning at noon.
Men’s Basketball
The UKC Men find themselves 2-4 after the first semester of play. Starting 0-3, the Blue Devils rallied in late November, securing crucial wins over, at the time, undefeated St. Thomas University, and the Seawolves of UNBSJ. Marshalled by veteran guard Jayden Nordin, who currently sits 3rd in the league in scoring, the youthful King’s side has begun to find its stride. Contributions from rookie guards Reese Zorogole and Cairo Berry have bolstered the UKC offense. Elsewhere stretch-forward Sam Gillet sits second in the league in 3pts per game. The Blue Devils will resume play on Jan. 8 at home against the cross-town rivals, the MSVU Mystics, who took the first game of the series earlier this season.
Results
UKC @ MSVU: 61-89 Loss
UKC vs. UNBSJ: 87-84 Win
Women’s Basketball
A strong 3-0 start, followed by 2 losses to CCAA Nationally Ranked teams left women’s basketball sitting 4-2 after the first portion of ACAA play. Finding themselves as high as 13th in the country, the only lapses in play have occurred in a nail-biter loss at home to St. Thomas University, and on the road at MSVU. Sitting just one game of first place, the Blue Devils Women’s team has been graced with a wealth a talent this season, exemplified by Geana George (3rd in scoring, ACAA) and Claire Hickman (2nd in scoring, 4th in rebounding, ACAA). This years King’s side boasts a deep and talented bench, primed for making a deep playoff run. The return of 3rd year forward Kallie McKinnon will be a blessing as King’s looks to equal their record with MSVU in their first game back at home on Jan. 8.
Results
UKC @ MSVU: 49-75 Loss
UKC vs. UNBSJ: 84-68 Win
Women’s Volleyball
Sporting a record of 4-3, the UKC women’s volleyball team find themselves sitting square in the middle of the pack heading into the winter break. The acclimation of new players to the team and league, including rookie players Leah Hartlen and Katie Cook, and 2nd year transfer Emma Wilson, have seen UKC secure convincing wins over Dal AC, Crandall, and USA. Close matches against league leaders Mt. Allison and Holland College highlight the skill and potential enjoyed by Coach Raessa Lalani’s side. The Blue Devils will be a team to be fear as rookie players come into their own, to compliment the veteran talents of libero Taryn Neufeld, setter Isabelle Roach, and ACAA All-Star Abby Hourigan. The UKC Women’s first match back will be Jan. 11 at home against the Seawolves of UNBSJ. In other news, the aforementioned Isabelle Roach was also awarded the Rhodes Scholarship, the 32nd student to receive the honour in King’s history.
Results
UKC @ Crandall: 3-0 Win
UKC vs. Holland: 0-3 Loss
UKC vs. USA: 3-0 Win
We’d like to thank all Blue Devils fans for their support this last semester. Please enjoy the winter holiday, and we’ll see you back on campus in the New Year! Find the full athletics schedule online, and be sure to check in next week to see how each of your UKC sides fared in the coming week’s competitions. You can also watch online at www.acaatv.ca.
