The Red Deer College Kings volleyball team secured their spot at nationals, after winning provincials on Saturday.

It took the Kings five sets to beat the Medicine Hat Rattlers, 20-25, 25-17, 25-20, 17-25, 15-9, in a battle of the top two teams in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference South Division.

Kings played the Rattlers four times during the regular season and held a record of 2-2 against the division rival.

Regan Fathers, a 6’6 outside hitter for the Kings, was named the tournament MVP and said being familiar with their opponent made the match much more intense.

“We played them so many times that we knew their plays really well and they knew us really well. It made for a competitive atmosphere and it was electric out there on the court,” said Fathers.

Being named MVP was a highlight for Fathers, but he chose to give a lot of the credit to his teammates.

“In the playoffs everybody played incredible and stepped up when they needed to,” said Fathers.

“We wouldn’t have been able to win without everybody on their game.”

Nationals are being held in London, Ontario at Fanshawe College from March 9-11.

“We’re going to have to come out really strong and expect to fight from the very first game,” said Fathers.