Men's Volleyball Weekend Recap | January 21, 2018
The Keyano Huskies swept the Lakeland Rustlers Men's Volleyball team in their two matches in Lloydminster on the weekend. Friday night, the Huskies won in 4 sets (25-22, 25-11, 23-25, 25-18) and followed that up with a victory in 3 sets (25-19, 25-21, 25-14) Saturday afternoon.
Both teams fought hard Friday night and went on runs at different points of the match. The Huskies built a lead in each of the first two sets, but the Rustlers didn't give up and fought back. Unfortunately, the Rustlers could not overcome the deficits, dropping the sets. The teams went back and forth in the third set, continually trading points. The Rustlers were able to score consecutive points when it mattered most, winning the set 25-23. The Huskies regained control in the fourth set, building a 15-11 lead. The Rustlers found themselves down 20-13 before the Huskies won the set 25-18.
The Rustlers were led by second year outside Brayden Griffith with six kills and seven digs. Second year libero/outside hitter Matt Peck added five kills and eight digs, while Player of the Game Jean Carlo Funez added five digs.
The two teams continued their back and forth play Saturday to start the match, with the teams playing each other nearly even early on. The Rustlers got down midway through the set and could never come back, as the Huskies won the set 25-19. The second set went back and forth for much of the set, with there being numerous good rallies between the two teams.
The Rustlers gave up consecutive points when it mattered, as the Huskies took the set 25-21. The Huskies came out strong to start the third set, looking to put the Rustlers away, opening up a 5-0 lead. The Rustlers could never overcome the deficit, as the Huskies easily won the set 25-14.
The Rustlers were led by first year middle Spencer Roziere with five kills. Second year outside Alexei Walisser had 11 digs for the Rustlers, and 2nd-year setter Jose Areliano had 11 assists. Player of the Game for the Rustlers was Evan Bonnamour.
Rustlers Head Coach Taylor Dyer shared his thoughts Saturday following the game.
"At parts yesterday we were better," Dyer said, "today we were consistent in the first and second set. We let them go on two or three-point runs, and that was the difference. Being able to continue to side out or try to find ways for us to get those two or three points in a row, that's the important part for us."
"We got together more as a team today," Bonnamour said, "and our blocking was there. We just have to forget about the other games and let it go."
The Rustlers travel to Grande Prairie next weekend to take on the Wolves, before returning home February 2nd against the NAIT Ooks as the Rustlers Make Some Noise for Mental Health.