WVB Weekend Recap | January 11 & 12, 2019
After their second loss of the season last weekend, the Lakeland Rustlers Women's Volleyball team looked to get back to their winning ways this past weekend against the Concordia Thunder.
Friday night, the Rustlers hosted the Thunder in the first home game of 2019 for the Rustlers. The Thunder got out to a lead early in the first set, but the Rustlers stayed composed and fought back to take the lead. The Rustlers held the lead for the rest of the set, winning 25-18. Heading into the second set, the Rustlers had all of the momentum, thanks to their comeback in the first set. The momentum carried over, as the Rustlers took the lead in the second set. The teams would trade points with the Thunder trying to go on a run, but the Rustlers never let the Thunder back in, on the way to winning the second set 25-20. The teams traded points to start the third and were tied at 14 midway through the set. The teams continued to go back and forth, tying the score at 18, before the Rustlers would go on the win the set 25-23 and take the match 3-0.
The Rustlers were led by fifth-year outside hitter Shelby Becker with ten kills, eight digs, and two blocks, while fellow fifth-year outside hitter Ahnika Kuse had nine kills, eight digs, and four service aces. Third-year setter Bailee Weiler was named Player of the Game for the Rustlers with seven kills, two digs, an assist, a service ace, and a block.
The Rustlers were in Edmonton Saturday night for the rematch against the Thunder. In the first set, the Rustlers capitalized on errors by the Thunder, helping them take the set 25-19. The Rustlers controlled and dominated the second set, winning 25-9. The Thunder responded in the third set, beating the Rustlers 25-22. The teams went back in forth in the fourth set, with the Rustlers looking to end the match and the Thunder looking to force a fifth set. The teams were tied at 21 late in the set before the Rustlers would go on a run and win the set 25-22, and the match 3-1.
Becker led the Rustlers with 17 kills, 12 digs, and two service aces, while second-year libero Hailee McKenna had 23 digs. Fifth-year setter Rae Sigurdson controlled the offense, finishing with 47 assists, eight digs, and three kills, earning her Player of the Game.
The Rustlers hit the road next weekend traveling to Fort McMurray to take on the Keyano Huskies (6-8), before returning home January 25th & 26th when they host the Grand Prairie Wolves (6-10).