Rustlers Lasso ACAC Women’s Volleyball Gold

by ACAC Sports Writer Curtis J. Phillips

The 2016-2017 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Women's Volleyball Championships concluded Saturday with the host Lakeland College Rustlers claiming gold on their home court by beating  the Grande Prairie Regional College Wolves 25-20, 25-20, 15-25, 25-12.

A few hours after celebrating the victory, it's first in ACAC women's volleyball since entering ACAC volleyball competition in 1990-1991, Rustlers head coach Austin Dyer is at the Service Sports Centre in Lloydminster, Alberta watching Saskatchewan Cup #2 for Under 18 women's volleyball.

"If you want to be successful, recruiting never stops," says Dyer, in a telephone interview, having arrived at 9 a.m. to the facility. "You always want to be at your best."'

Although he was hesitant at selecting individual players as "volleyball is a team success", three players did stand out for the Rustlers during the ACAC championships with the play of Ahnika Kuse, Shelby Becker and Rae Sigurdson.  

"Ahnika is our rock," said Dyer, of the 5-foot-9 outside right-side hitter from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in her third year and enrolled in the University Transfer program. "She is super steady and always finds ways to score every night."

"This was Shelby's coming out weekend," said Dyer, of the Cudworth, Saskatchewan native, now into her third year. "She has been a rising star and she just needed time and rest to get where she was. She was at a different level this weekend and gave us a level of power and consistency we have not seen at the left side."

Becker's stats in the gold match were 10 kills, two service aces and 11 digs.

With 34 assists in the Wolves matchup, setter Sigurdson has returned to form.

"In her first year she was (ACAC All Conference) and then she went through a bit of a lull in her second season and ended up losing her starting spot," said Dyer, of the 5-foot-7 student/athlete from Oakbank, Manitoba.

"That fueled the fire for her and she wanted to prove me wrong. That she was good enough to start. She came into the season ready and has been great. Into the second semester she came into her own…locating the ball and hustling really hard to get the hitter the ball and a chance to swing."

Sigurdson had 641 assists in the ACAC regular season.

Megan Koch led the Wolves to second place with 16 kills, one service ace, one block and seven digs.

Emily Groenenboom added nine kills, three service aces and seven digs. Setter Nicole Clayton had 33 assists.

The Wolves have won four ACAC Women's Volleyball banners, their last in 2004-2005.

In ACAC regular season play the Rustlers and Wolves had met four times with each winning two matches: Lakeland 3-2, November 11, 2016 and 3-0 February 17, 2017 and Grande Prairie 3-2, November 12, 2016 and 3-2 February 18, 2017.

How did the two teams get to the gold medal game?

Lakeland, with a 2016-2017 ACAC regular season record of 18 matches won 6 matches 60 lost sets won 26 sets lost, took to their home court Thursday downing the Brirecrest Clippers 17-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-21 with Becker and Kuse totaling 14 and 12 kills respectively and Sigurdson adding 33 assist.

Behind the offensive prowess of Kuse and Becker, with 18 and 17 kills respectively, the Rustlers made quick work of the Ambrose Lions in the semi-final 25-19, 25-17, 25-20.

Sigurdson had 37 assists.

Heading into the championship against the Wolves the Lloydminster-based school had had 11 service aces and 12 blocks compared to their opponent's four service aces and seven blocks in the opening two matches.

Their defensive process was also prevalent with 87 digs compared to 56.

The Wolves, with a season record of 19 matches won 5 matches lost 61 sets won 25 sets lost, opened these three-day 13-game event with an opening match five sets 25-23, 16-25, 16-25, 25-15 and 15-7 decision against the SAIT Trojans.

Koch sparked the Wolves attack with 128 kills. Brynelle Barrs had 39 assists.

The Wolves had faced off against the Trojans in last year's ACAC bronze medal match winning 3-1.

In the semi-finals, the Wolves took to the hardwood against the Red Deer Queens, where they came away with a 25-8, 17-25, 25-20, 25-21 decision.

Once again Koch led the attack with 15 kills. Michelle Gauthier had four blocks in a game where the Wolves set up a big wall with 12 blocks. She also had four service aces.

In the bronze game the Queens defeated the Lions 25-23, 25-21, 25-19.

Rustlers and Wolves now head off to the 2016-2017 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Women's Volleyball Championships to be held March 8 - 11, 2017 by Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia.

"When we (Wolves as a Wild Card) head off to the nationals, you are not only representing your college but the ACAC," said Dwyer. "Getting a (ACAC Gold) is exciting as is getting into (CCAA Nationals) but we have to keep our focus."