Rustlers Weekend Recap - November 21, 2022
Lakeland's women's teams found success while the men were unable to pick up victories.
Chris King and the women's basketball team were looking for a big effort on their south division road trip, but had a sluggish start, scoring just 12 points in the first quarter against Olds. A huge third quarter had them up by one, but a pair of turnovers in the final minute cost them, as the Broncos won 77-72.
Lakeland led at the half in Red Deer on Saturday, but the gap was closed to three in the third quarter. After a tight first few minutes, the Rustlers pulled away for the 64-54 win. Alana Olsen had a fantastic outing, scoring 25 points and grabbing 10 boards.
The men also had a tough loss on the road to Olds, losing 86-82. The following night, they fell to the Kings 93-78. Johnny Mims was POG both nights, scoring 29and 24 points.
Women's hockey split the weekend against the RDP Queens, earning a big 1-0 shutout on Friday. At home, the visiting Queens got them back in a 3-1 affair. This moves the squad to 2-2-1, third in the ACAC.
Back at Lakeland in women's volleyball on Saturday, hope for a competitive tilt between last year's finalists was quickly snuffed out by a team that continues to roll this winter.
The Rustlers were looking to extend their undefeated streak this season by getting some payback against the defending champion Red Deer Queens. In a slow start to the first, it was all Lakeland, thanks in part to several service aces from veteran middle blocker Kaylie Lueck, for a final score of 25-15.
Red Deer came out with more energy in the second and kept pace for a few points, but the constant pressure from the Rustlers was too much in the end, with the home side winning the second and third sets, 25-18 and 25-12.
Francesca Sandini and Sarah Hogue were the POG's for the Queens and Rustlers respectively. Lakeland improves to 9-0, best in the ACAC.
Meanwhile, the men came so close to pulling off some magic, but couldn't quite get there against the defending ACAC Champs.
The Rustlers faced the Red Deer Kings in Lloydminster for the first time in more than a decade on Saturday. Early on, the home side was able to control play, leading to a 25-22 first set win. In the second, the Kings jumped out to a large lead mid set, before the Rustlers fought back to tie, before RDP eventually won 28-26.
In the third and fourth, Red Deer largely dominated, winning 25-21 and leading 24-17 in the fourth set. However, Lakeland wasn't ready to quit, as Gabe Bjorkas went on a huge serving run to tie the set at 24. The two squads traded tough serves, until a Kings block sealed the match at 30-28.
Bret Lower was RDP's Player of the Game with a match high 23 kills, while Aiden Maier (14 kills, two blocks) earned the nod for Lakeland.
The four squads now face the Augustana Vikings in a home-and-home this weekend to end the first half of the season. Women's basketball and men's volleyball need a sweep to get back or near .500, while men's basketball sit one win behind the Vikings for second in the North. WVB face their toughest test of the season so far in a talented Augustana team who have performed below expectations so far.
Volleyball is at home Friday night, starting at 6:00 PM, while basketball is home on Saturday. The latter event will feature a number of additional modes of entertainment, including a 50/50 raffle, Punjabi dancers and more. Hockey will end the first half on the road against the Olds Broncos.