Volleyball Earns a split at Keyano
The Rustlers Volleyball teams played a doubleheader in Fort McMurray this past weekend at Keyano College. The women's team improved their season record to 4 and 0 while the men's team dropped two close matches to even their record at 2 and 2.
Friday the men's team jumped out to a 2 set to 0 lead by scores of 25–20 and 25–22. The Huskies battled back in sets 3 and 4 with scores of 25–13 and 25–18 setting up a showdown in the fifth and final set. The final game was a back and forth affair but in the end, the Huskies squeaked out a 15–13 victory to win day one over the Rustlers. Outside hitter Tylie Montgrand lead the Rustlers with 12 kills and 3 blocks.
Saturday the Rustlers once again started the match off with some strong play defeating the Huskies 25–20. Keyano came back in the next 3 sets defeating the Rustlers by scores of 25–14, 25-23, and 25-23. Both days the Rustlers competed at a high level but were unable to finish on the winning side of the scoreboard. With the team's steady improvement the 2021–2022 season should be a successful one for the team. Leading the Rustlers on the scoresheet was Cameron Jones with 15 kills and 1 serve ace.
The women's volleyball team started off the weekend defeating the Huskies 3 sets to 0. The match started with the team's playing point for point until the Rustlers built a bit of a lead which they held until the end of the first game-winning 25–22. The second set was much of the same with the Rustlers winning by the identical score of 25–22. In the third set, the Rustlers built a commanding lead which they carried through to the end of the game 25–11 on the way to a straight-set match win. Mackenzie Yole led the Rustlers with 10 kills and 3 serve aces.
Saturday the Rustlers started strong in the first two sets defeating the Huskies 25–20 and 25–10. The Huskies bounced back with a 25–22 win before the Rustlers finished out the match with a 25–16 win to take the match 3 sets to 1. Jenay Varga had a great performance for the Rustlers leading the team with 18 kills and 3 serve aces.
Next up for the Rustlers will be a division rival the King's University Eagles. The Rustlers will compete at home on Friday the 26th at 6 and 8 pm before heading up to Edmonton to play the return engagement on Saturday night.