Rustlers Women’s Volleyball Weekend Recap - March 2, 2026
Lakeland's women's volleyball dynastic streak was tested, but remains standing.
The Rustlers captured their fourth straight ACAC Championship Sunday in Camrose, Alberta, making it six in the program's history. The team accomplished the feat by defeating the RDP Queens in the quarterfinals, the NAIT Ooks in the semifinals and the Host Augustana Vikings in the gold medal match.
Despite remaining the favourites, Lakeland entered the tournament in an unfamiliar spot as the ACAC North Division 4th seed, after finishing first in the ACAC North for the past four years. Their opening match against the Queens, a team that won 17 of 19, became the biggest test Austin Dyer's squad has faced in this championship period.
After winning the first two sets 25-21 and 25-18, the Rustlers fell into a rut of inconsistent execution that surprised onlookers, resulting in a 8-25 defeat. The effect of that rare dud reverberated in the fourth, with the Queens playing inspired defence, while serving and blocking very well against the defending champs. Only one or two small runs on serve came about for Lakeland, losing 19-25.
In their first non-exhibition fifth set since fall 2022, The Rustlers still trailed the Queens for most of the set, before finally gaining a lead at 11-10 and winning 15-13. Fifth year Avery Bates powered the team through at the end, with three of her team leading 16 kills coming in the last few points and was named the Player of the Game. Middle Raegen Nicol was also spectacular, posting 11 kills with only one error.
"Definitely a scary start," Bates said. "But once we settled into our usual groove we were fine and it reflected in our play."
The Rustlers were much more relaxed in the semifinals against the NAIT Ooks, a team they had just swept two weeks prior and who was coming off a four-set victory against the SAIT Trojans. While the Ooks had a better showing this time against Lakeland, Dyer's group still won in straight sets (25-22, 25-16, 25-18). Bates had another 10 kills along with 13 digs, while Hawryluk led the Rustlers with 13 kills and Nicol had 4 blocks to get POG honours.
The final was a rematch in every sense of the word, with the Rustlers having defeated the Vikings in straight sets a year ago in the same gymnasium, following the hosts winning an exciting five-setter the night before. One difference was instead of entering the day as a gigantic underdog like they did in 2025, Augustana came into the matchup having the best record in the North and had taken two sets off of Lakeland a few weeks ago.
The first set featured some of the best play of the season, with both teams energized by a raucous crowd. Coming into the match up 22-21, serving sub Dineka Elchyson gave the Rustlers a clutch ace, leading to a 25-22 win. In the second, the Rustlers found separation early, winning 25-16 off of serving and blocking that proved too much for the home team.
The Vikings made lineup changes and had an initial lead in the third set, but the champs continued to chip at the lead, eventually tying the score at 20. Then timely serving from substitute Mya Lavalee and continued great play from Bates finished the set at 25-21.
The fifth year from Acme was in classic form all match, posting 15 kills, 8 digs and 2 blocks, while Hawryluk was named POG with 10 kills, 2 aces and a block.
In the post-tournament ceremony, Nicol and setter Katelyn Mazurkewhich were named to the All-Star team, while Bates earned her second straight MVP.
The team now has just over a week to train, before leaving March 9 for Niverville, Manitoba. There, they will defend their national title at the CCAA Championship against the host Providence Pilots in the quarterfinal round, 5:00 pm MT on March 11.