Paladins Begin 2026 with Loss in Thunder Bay | Les Paladins amorcent l’année 2026 avec une défaite à Thunder Bay

Making the lengthy trip north-west to Thunder Bay, the RMC Paladins kicked off the 2026 portion of their schedule Friday night. Taking on the Lakehead Thunderwolves in the first of two meetings in as many days, the Paladins suffered a 3-0 (11-25, 18-25, 21-25) defeat.

Having a tough time getting their feet underneath them in the beginning, the Paladins quickly found themselves in a hole. With Lakehead winning seven of the first nine points to open the match, the Paladins trailed 7-2. Despite pulling back within a couple of points, the Paladins were unable to keep Lakehead close. An eight to one run from the Thunderwolves opened up a 16-6 advantage. From there the home team would continue to pull away, taking the first set 25-11.

The second set got off to a much different start, as the Paladins began to get more comfortable. RMC exchanged points with Lakehead for much of the first third of the set. The two teams were tied 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 7-7 and 8-8. However, after the Thunderwolves took a two-point advantage at 10-8, they would slowly begin to build up a bigger lead afterwards. Going up 13-9, and later 20-14, Lakehead would force RMC to call a timeout late in the set. Unable to chip away at the deficit though, the Paladins would drop the set 25-18.

Like they did in the opening set, Lakehead would quickly jump out to a 7-2 lead to begin the third. Although RMC was able to narrow the gap to three points on numerous occasions, they were unable to break through that three-point mark. Still trying to fight back, RMC trailed 19-15 late. Following two more points for Lakehead, the Paladins would use their second timeout of the set, down 21-15. The Paladins did not go quietly at the end, trying to make one last push, to the deficit proved just a bit too much to overcome, with Lakehead finished off the set 25-21.

The Paladins were led offensively by their fourth-year middle, Eve Smith who tallied 10 kills. Jayda Phillipson finished with a team-high 15 assists, while Ashley Raymond and Mackenzie Lockett-Hiemstra tied for the team lead in digs with four each.

The Paladins and Thunderwolves will square off once more, taking the court in Thunder Bay tomorrow (10 January) at 1800hrs.