Women's Volleyball Season Opener vs King's Eagles
The Rustlers Women's Volleyball team picked up where they left off at the end of last season, beating the King's Eagles in the opening weekend of the ACAC Women's Volleyball season.
Friday night in Lloydminster, the Rustlers defeated the Eagles in 4 sets (19-25, 25-21, 25-14, 25-10). The Rustlers looked nervous and hesitant in the first set, as the two teams traded points before the Rustlers took a 9-6 lead. The Eagles responded and took control of the set, leading 19-15 before winning 25-19. The Rustlers got down 8-4 to start the second set but battled back to tie the score at 12. Both teams showed strong play in the set with long rallies, each taking their turn with the lead. The Rustlers would ultimately win the set, 25-21.
The Rustlers came out strong in the third set, getting out to an 11-4 lead. By this point, it was clear that the Rustlers were the better team, as they appeared more comfortable on the floor and played like a team that had been successful before. The Rustlers continued to dominate the set, winning 25-14. In the fourth set, the Rustlers once again came out strong, building a 13-4 lead. The Rustlers were too much for the Eagles, running away with the set, winning 25-10.
Player of the Game for the Rustlers was #2, Bailee Weiler.
Saturday night it would only take the Rustlers 3 sets to defeat the Eagles (25-14, 26-24, 25-19), as the Rustlers would come out strong to start the match. The Rustlers were able to continue the strong play they finished with Friday night, as they won the first set on Saturday 25-14. In the second set, King's showed their athleticism and variety of weapons as they pushed the Rustlers. The Rustlers were able to use their experience over a much younger Eagles team and win the set 26-24.
In the third set, the Rustlers would spread the ball around, attacking from different spots, before winning the set 25-19. 4th-year outside hitter Shelby Becker had nine kills for the Rustlers and 2nd-year outside hitter Belle de Vries and 4th-year outside hitter Ahnika Kuse each added seven kills. Fourth year setter Rae Sigurdson did a good job passing the ball, finishing the game with 29 assists. The Rustlers forced the Eagles into nine errors while only committing five of their own.
When asked about the first set Friday night, Rustlers Head Coach Austin Dyer believed it was nerves, but also who they are as a team.
"I think it was a combination of nerves and just wondering if we are the same team we were when we finished," Dyer said. "It doesn't matter how old you are or what you've done; you still need to have confidence that you can play the game."
Becker agreed with her coach. "We were a little tight (in the first set), first game jitters, but then after that, we settled in really well. We settled in and played our game after that. We didn't worry about them; we just focused on our side."
While it is a long season, the Rustlers were happy to start the season with a win.
"It's awesome, it feels so good," Becker said. "We know these first three weeks are going to be the toughest, so it feels really good to get a win right away.
"In the last two sets we were doing a lot of stuff we have been working on in practices," second year middle Chelsea Steinly said. "When we play as a unit we are tough to beat."
The Rustlers return to the court next weekend when they host the GPRC Wolves. Game time is 6:00 pm on Friday and 1:00 pm on Saturday.
Check out the post game interviews from Coach Austin Dyer, Chelsea Steinely, and Shelby Becker!