Games have been coming thick and fast for the UKC Blue Devils. As the ACAA transitions towards Championship season, see where each King’s squad stands ahead of playoffs…
Women’s Basketball
Three wins in four games keep the UKC Ladies securely in playoffs, sitting 4th in the table, just one game off an ever-coveted 2nd place position, and first round bye in the postseason. The remaining games feature crucial matchups against MSVU (1st), as well as a rubber match against STU (3rd), and 2 matches against Holland College (2nd). Parker Reagan’s side looks to be peaking at the right time; having spent the last few games without senior forward Claire Hickman due to injury. With a well seasoned starting 5, King’s is primed for a strong finish to the regular season and a deep post season run; assuming they can avoid injuries which have left them shorthanded in recent weeks.
Results
UKC @ MTA: 71-84 W
UKC vs. MSVU: 68-89 L
UKC @ UNBSJ: 84-44 W
UKC @ UNBSJ: 79-59 W
Men’s Basketball
A rough start to the New Year has seen the UKC Men fall to the cellar of the ACAA, and now find themselves on the outside looking in for a playoff position. A costly double-header loss to the Seawolves of UNBSJ means King’s has sacrificed the tie-breaker, and now must pass the New Brunswick side in standings. That being said, a number of viable wins remain on the schedule, including STU whom the Blue Devils have already bested, and Crandall who currently find themselves on a 8-loss skid. Additionally, King’s will host a rematch of last weeks nail-bitter loss to MSVU this coming weekend, in what will be considered a must win game. All eyes will be on senior captain, Jayden Nordin, who will look to convert the Kingdome to Thermopylae for the remainder of the season. Can this young band of rookie players hold off the oncoming hordes of competition to reach playoffs? Only time will tell.
Results
UKC @ MTA: 71-84 L
UKC vs. MSVU: 91-101 L
UKC @ UNBSJ: 63-39 L
UKC @ UNBSJ: 70-93 L
Women’s Volleyball
Two steps forward and one step back is the story for the UKC Ladies Volleyball team this last 2 weeks. After recording a historic win over cross-town rivals, the MSVU Mystics, the Blue Devils had the world on a string, well placed in the standings, challenging for a 3rd seed going into playoffs. The high was short lived, as less than 24 hours later King’s dropped a game to the mid-table STU Tommies in a brief 3-set routing. In the blink of an eye, King’s was now tied for 5th in the standings, with a must-win game on the horizon against Dal AC, the loser of which would drop to 6th. Unfazed by the loss to STU, the King’s Women answered the call again, putting AC down 3 sets to 0 in less than 90 minutes. Though they still sit 5th in the table, King’s still have time to move up before playoffs, with crucial games coming on the road to STU and at home to Mt. Allison and Holland College, all teams teams the Blue Devils could encounter at playoffs later this month.
Results
UKC vs. MSVU: 3-2 W
UKC vs. STU: 0-3 L
UKC vs. Dal AC: 3-0 W
Badminton
All good things must come to an end; and so too did the UKC undefeated streak in the ACAA Badminton regular season. With players missing through illness (Catherine Zhu) or player injured (Fiona Purdy), the Blue Devils fell just a few points shy of closing out the regular season with all 1st place finishes, being outpaced by the Mounties of Mt. A by 11 points. Despite the 2nd place finish, ACAA stalwart Bryce Mason recorded 2 first place finishes in Men’s Doubles A alongside partner Jack Ronahan, and in Mixed Doubles A alongside partner Sabby Somji. Elsewhere, Ronahan and Platts also won Mixed Doubles B. If ever there was a time for a reality check, now is the time for the UKC side, as they prepare to make a defense of their ACAA Title from the past season. ACAA Badminton Playoffs will take place at the Kingdome, February 15 & 16.
Results
Mt. A: 78 Pts.
UKC: 67 Pts.
St. Anne: 54 Pts.
Dal AC: 51 Pts.
With a host of home games in the coming weeks, be sure to drop by the Kingdome to see your favorite UKC teams play! Seasons end in February, so catch them before they’re gone! Find the full athletics schedule online and watch all your Blue Devils Athletes via www.acaatv.ca and stay up to date will all the action from the ACAA.
