MVB Weekend Recap | November 2 & 3, 2018
The Lakeland Rustlers Men's Volleyball team returned from their bye this past weekend and picked up where they left off, winning tight, hard-fought matches.
The Rustlers were in Edmonton on Friday taking on the Concordia Thunder. The Thunder got out to an early lead and defeated the Rustlers in the first two sets. The Rustlers, however, weren't ready for their night to end and pushed the Thunder, winning the third set. Winning the third set gave the Rustlers the momentum they needed to win the fourth and fifth sets, taking the match 3-2 (18-25, 21-25, 25-21, 25-20, 17-15).
The Rustlers were led by third year middle Tyler Williamson with 12 kills, four blocks, two digs, and two assists, while third year outside Alexei Walisser added 12 kills and five digs. Third year libero Jean Carlo Funez had 17 digs for the Rustlers while third year setter Jose Arellano had 31 assists.
The Rustlers momentum from the win Friday night carried over into Saturday as the Rustlers came out strong, dominating the Thunder in the first two sets. In the third set, the Thunder took advantage of mistakes by the Rustlers to force a fourth set. The Rustlers, however, would not let the Thunder get another chance, winning the fourth set and taking the match 3-1 (25-20, 25-18, 21-25, 25-21).
The Rustlers were led by third year libero Matt Peck with 15 kills and 11 digs, while Wassiler added 14 kills, five digs, and three blocks. Arellano and Funez both had strong games again for the Rustlers, finishing with 35 assists and ten digs, and 17 digs respectively. Williamson was named Player of the Game for the Rustlers with five kills and two digs.
The Rustlers (5-1) return to the court next weekend to take on the Keyano Huskies (6-0). Both games will be at home for the Rustlers, starting with Friday night at 8 PM, followed by Saturday afternoon at 3 PM.