Rustlers Weekend Recap - February 17, 2026
Lakeland Athletics wrapped up the regular season for volleyball and basketball this past weekend, with split results.
Rustlers Basketball
Basketball had their home finale Friday night against the NAIT Ooks, a key matchup on the men's side. The women's team lost both matchups to the Ooks, with Declyn Wood (6 points, 8 rebounds) and Sadie Spenrath (20 points) as the respective players of each game.
On Friday, the men recognized their three fifth-year seniors David Dimaano, Roy Anku and Baha Salma, each of whom were members of the 2024 bronze winning team. Following the ceremony, the Rustlers won 93-76, with Seth Johnson scoring a game high 26 points, while Taleh Wade added 25 points and Jordan Horobetz-Simpson added 13 points and 14 rebounds. Saturday in Edmonton, Lakeland initially gave a double-digit lead in the first half, but settled in the second half to win 79-64, including a 21-8 fourth quarter. Johnson had another game high of 26 points, including 6-7 shooting from three-point land.
Rustlers Volleyball
Volleyball was on the road Friday and at home on Valetine's Day to wrap up the regular season, against a pair of strong NAIT squads. The women needed just one victory to clinch a playoff spot, while the men needed to match the results of Augustana to hold the tiebreaker on fourth place.
It was the most complete weekend of the year for the women's team, winning 3-0 both nights (25-12, 25-14, 25-14 and 25-17, 25-15, 25-13). Avery Bates, who played her final match at Lakeland on Saturday, was an absolute force on the right-side, posting 26 kills, 6 blocks, 9 digs and 3 aces. Fellow 5th year Seanna Trumier had 25 digs, while Carly Hawryluk added 25 kills. This was the 11th straight victory for the Rustlers since late November, booking their fourth place placement in the North Division.
On the men's side, they struggled against a physical Ooks team, losing 3-1 and 3-0. Josh Bell had 11 kills Friday, while Cam Craft had 4 kills, 3 blocks and 2 aces for 9 points on Saturday. Combined with Augustana defeating NWP, this eliminates the men's volleyball team from the postseason.
What's Coming Up
While the women's team has a bye week until playoffs, basketball are on the road to take on the NWP Wolves in Grande Prairie. The women can jump to sixth in the standings with a victory, while the men need a sweep to guarantee first in the North. Women's hockey end their regular season this weekend with a homestand against the SAIT Trojans. Puck drop is 7:15 pm Friday and 2:00 pm Saturday at the Cenovus Energy Hub.