2026 ACAC Women's Volleyball Players of the Year
Edmonton, AB (February 26, 2026) –
NORTH WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR, CHENEE LEHMAN:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Chenee Lehman of The King’s University ‘Eagles’ has been selected as the 2025-26 ACAC North Women’s Volleyball Player of the Year.
Chenee Lehman is a 5th year libero who has played her entire career at King’s. Chenee played high school and club in Red Deer, and started her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2020, graduating in 2024. Now in her sixth year at King’s, Chenee will be graduating this spring with a Bachelor of Education, and is looking forward to a career as an elementary school teacher. “From day one, Chenee was recognized as having remarkable passing and defensive technique” stated head coach, Grace Scott, who also mentioned how much Chenee has continued to improve every year and has become not only an elite player, but a tremendous team leader. As the team’s captain, Lehman always leads by example through positivity and encouragement, and whose presence on the court inspires teammates to play their best.
Chenee completed league play at the top of the ACAC leader board with 306 digs (4.43 digs/set). She also had a season high of 35 digs in one match, averaging 7 digs per set! “Chenee’s performance on the court is no doubt outstanding, but it is her character that really shines”, commented Coach Scott. “She is not only a committed athlete, but is a person who plays with integrity and a heart that is selfless. Chenee will no doubt be successful at whatever she sets her mind to doing in any future endeavors, we wish her all the best!”
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2025-26 ACAC Women’s Volleyball Championship hosted by the University of Alberta Augustana ‘Vikings’ in Camrose, Alberta.
SOUTH WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR, RACHEL STEAD:
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) is pleased to announce Rachel Stead of the Briercrest College & Seminary Women's Volleyball team has been selected as the 2026 ACAC South Women's Volleyball Player of the Year.
Rachel started out as a middle blocker this year and then made the transition to outside hitter for our team. Becoming a dominant force for us on either pin Rachel has stepped up and won us many games and tight sets by getting our team the game winning point. She has led us in kills and blocks and even passing. This year she has gained 172 kills and a hitting average of 0.305%. After all her years she has reached 652 kills and an average hitting percentage of 0.416% . Rachel is a player to be respected and appreciated!
Rachel is a force to be reckoned with. She is our leader and captain and will forever be remembered as an impact player to our team and the league - she truly is one of the greats! We have been blessed with her talent and are so grateful she chose to return for her final year - forever thankful for her legacy she is leaving behind.
Rachel Stead: Langley BC, played 2020-2026 with Briercrest Women's Volleyball Team, Masters of Leadership and Management, been named ACAC middle blocker all conference three years in a row, our own institutions 2024/2025 player of the year and many more awards over her years played.
This prestigious award will be recognized at the 2026 ACAC Women's Volleyball Championship hosted by University of Alberta Augustana in Camrose, AB.
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About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
markk@acac.ab.ca
Emily Peterson, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
emilyp@acac.ab.ca