Women's Volleyball host preseason tournament

The Rustlers women's volleyball team played host to other ACAC volleyball teams on the weekend in their home preseason tournament.  The Rustlers split their squad into two teams, to allow for more playing time and learning opportunities. 

Rustlers Split Squad 1 was a strong team composed of 8 players who were all contributors to last year's National Championship.  The team played five matches, going 4-1 and while it took them a couple of matches to get back into the flow, they essentially picked up where they left off last season. 

Squad 1's first match on Friday was against Ambrose, whom the Rustlers defeated 3-1 (25-20, 25-15, 19-25, 25-21). 

Squad 1's second game on Friday was against Briercrest.  The Rustlers won the first set and had leads in all of the following sets, but lost the match 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 17-25, 16-25). 

Saturday the Rustlers Split Squad 1 defeated Kings 3-1 (25-15, 22-25, 25-11, 25-14) and SAIT 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-16).  Sunday the team defeated King's. 

Rustlers Split Squad 2 consisted of rookies and players who did not see the floor much last year, giving the team ten players total.  The team played four matches, and while they went 0-4 over the weekend, many of the matches were close, they just struggled to pull out the win. 

Friday night the team lost 3-0 to King's (18-25, 23-25, 26-24) and the Saturday the team lost 3-1 to Briercrest (20-25, 25-18, 19-25, 18-25) and 3-1 to Ambrose (23-25, 29-27, 20-25, 25-27).  Sunday the team lost to King's. 

Rustlers women's volleyball Head Coach Austin Dyer was happy with what he saw on the weekend from the rookies.  "It is fun to see the rookies play for the first time," Dyer said.  'We have a talented rookie class this year.  Kaylie Lueck and Hannah Pek played well this weekend.  Kaylie is a physical player, and Hannah played well defensively and with her passing."

The Rustlers head to Saskatoon the weekend to train with and against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.  The Rustlers season opener and home opener is Friday, October 13th versus King's.