Women's Volleyball Weekend Recap | November 18, 2017
The Lakeland Rustlers Women's Volleyball team travelled to Fort McMurray on the weekend to face the Keyano Huskies. The Rustlers came away with two victories, giving them a 10-0 record to start the season.
Friday night, the Rustlers defeated the Huskies in four sets (25-15, 25-16, 25-27, 25-12). It was noticeable that the team had spent all day on the bus, as their jumping wasn't there and they had to find other ways to score. The Rustlers were comfortably in control of the first two sets, winning them easily, but the Huskies pushed them in the third. The teams would go back and forth for much of the set before the Huskies were able to score the two points needed to win. The Rustlers responded with a strong fourth set, making quick work of the Huskies.
The Rustlers received strong all-around play from fifth year middle Alyssa Grondin who had nine kills, three blocks, two assists and two digs. Fourth year setter Rae Sigurdson distributed the ball, finishing the match with 40 assists, earning her Player of the Game honors.
Saturday, the Rustlers defeated the Huskies in three sets (25-13, 25-23, 25-17). The Rustlers controlled the first set, but the Huskies responded with strong play in the second and third sets. In the third set, the Huskies would take a 13-5 lead, before the Rustlers battled back to win the set and take the match.
Fourth year outside hitter Ahnika Kuse had ten kills and 14 digs for the Rustlers, who also got 31 assists and four digs from Sigurdson. Player of the Game for the Rustlers was fourth year outside hitter Shelby Becker who had six kills and ten digs.
Rustlers Head Coach Austin Dyer thought his team did a good job on the weekend, despite the challenges associated with the long bus ride on game day.
"Friday, we had bus legs, and our jumping wasn't there," Dyer said, "so we had to find other ways to score. Saturday, they (Keyano) keyed in on our middles, and we were able to spread the ball around. I would say that Friday was Alyssa's (Grondin) game and Saturday was Shelby's (Becker) on the left side, and Avery's (Maginel) on the right said. We are lucky that we have the talent to spread the ball around as much as we do."
Having to find different ways to score as the Rustlers had to Friday night following the bus trip will benefit going forward Dyer believes. "It will allow us to have more options and see how we can be successful when what we usually do isn't working."
The Rustlers play the Augustana Vikings next weekend, where they will aim to remain undefeated heading into the Christmas break. The Rustlers are on the road to face the Vikings in Camrose on Friday and will be at home to face the same Vikings team on Saturday at 6:00 pm.