Avery Bates Named ACAC Women’s Volleyball North Player of the Year

The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Avery Bates of the Lakeland Rustlers has been selected as the 2024 - 25 ACAC Women's Volleyball North Player of the Year. 

The 4th year Right-Side had another spectacular campaign for the defending national champions, leading them to the first undefeated regular season in program history, while losing just one set all year. Bates averaged 3.23 kills per set, at a remarkable .394 hitting percentage. This was made even more impressive given she did not play in as many of the sets during the season most team's leading attackers, though she still finished sixth in kills per set.

Bates also had 17 services aces (career high), 79 digs and 27 blocks, the latter stat averaging to .52 blocks per set, which is the highest in the ACAC for a non-middle blocker. In a marquee matchup against the King's Eagles, she posted 26 kills, 4 blocks, 2 aces and 12 digs in just 6 sets. 

Rustlers Athletics Director Al Rogan was effusive in his praise for Bates' time as a student athlete at Lakeland.

"Avery has been a real treat to coach during her career," he said. "She wants to excel and be the best she can be, and she works hard in and out of the gym to ensure she is doing everything she can to reach her potential as a volleyball athlete and person."

Hailing from Acme, AB, Bates is in her fourth year at Lakeland college, taking her Bachelor of Education. This is her second season on the ACAC All-Conference Team and first as ACAC Female Player of the Year.

This prestigious award was be recognized at the 2024 – 25 ACAC Women's Volleyball Championship hosted by University of Alberta Augustana in Camrose, Alberta.