Lakeland Rustlers Halfway Report: Women's Volleyball
1st Half Record:
9-0 | 1st in the ACAC North Division
Key Performers:
Avery Bates | 3.25 Kills/S, 13 Blocks, 4 Aces, 1.17 Digs/S | The offensive driver of the team and amongst league leaders in kills, blocks and hitting efficiency
Lana Matthews | 3.25 Kills/S, 12 Aces, 2.21 Digs/S | One of the most prolific, well-rounded left-sides in the CCAA.
Senior Graduates:
Emma Letkeman | Setter | A 5th year, using her last year of eligibility as a transfer at Lakeland, Letkeman has done an admirable job filling the shoes of Player of the Year Jana Laing. She is third in the ACAC in assists per set at 8.56, adding 5 aces and 29 digs.
Lana Matthews | Since transferring from NWP in 2022 after two years playing for the Wolves, Lana has become a fan favourite in the Lakeland gym, racking up accolades in the process. In her three Lakeland seasons, she has averaged nearly four points a set, while also being a spectacular defender. Matthews will likely finish her career top 15 all-time in kills, top 10 in aces and top 50 in digs.
Jenay Varga | One of the greatest athletes to ever wear the uniform, Varga has had arguably the great run of any CCAA player under 5'10. A three-time All-Conference Player and the 2023 CCAA Championship MVP, the 5th year from Muenster, Saskatchewan has anchored the current run of dominance for women's volleyball at Lakeland College. Currently averaging 2.79 kills per set, 3.08 digs per set and leading the team with 14 aces, she has already become the Rustlers all-time aces leader and will pass numerous players on the ACAC lists for kills, aces and digs.
Highlights:
Nov. 1, a straight sets victory over the South Division leading RDP Queens (25-12, 25-12, 26-24). Bates posted a sizzling 21 points.
Nov. 30, a sweep over then nationally ranked Briercrest (25-15, 25-8, 25-17). Varga had a match high 14 points in the victory, along with 8 digs.
Recap:
A threepeat is just 16 matches away for the Rustlers.
Women's volleyball are enjoying their best campaign yet, going 27-0 in sets for the first semester. They have only allowed opponents to score more than 20 points in a set five times for far this season. Each of the three starting wings (Bates/Varga/Matthews) are amongst league leaders in multiple categories and several members have come off the bench in style, including a sparkling 4.70 hitting percentage from 2nd year Carly Hawryluk.
Women's volleyball also enjoyed training for a week in Mexico over the break.
Looking Ahead:
The title defence continues Jan. 17 against the Concordia Thunder. On Feb. 1, the Rustlers will host the second match of a key weekend against the King's Eagles. They travel to Camrose for the ACAC Championship at Augustana, Feb. 20-22.