Rustlers pull off thrilling win advancing to semi-final Saturday

CAMROSE, Alta- An electric Game 2 of the 2025 ACAC Women's Volleyball Championship, with the Lakeland Rustlers taking home the win against the Red Deer Queens in five sets (25-22, 25-18, 8-25, 19-25, 15-13)  on Friday afternoon at the Augustana Gym.

This win propels the Lakeland Rustlers into the semifinals, keeping their championship hopes alive as they chase a berth in the ACAC Championship on Sunday—pending a semifinal victory tomorrow.
Set one opened with a tight, back-and-forth battle between the Lakeland Rustlers and the Red Deer Queens, before Lakeland began to gain separation as they pushed toward the red zone. The Rustlers stayed calm and composed, capitalizing on gaps in the Queens' defence, while Maddy DeZutter anchored Red Deer with standout defensive plays to keep her team within striking distance. The Queens mounted a late surge, but Lakeland's poise down the stretch proved decisive as they closed out the opening set 25–22.

The second set stayed tight early, with the Red Deer Queens matching the Lakeland Rustlers stride for stride through the opening points. Smart front-row play from Maria Brouwer and relentless back-row defence alongside Maddy DeZutter kept the Queens in the fight, while Seanna Trumier anchored the Rustlers with steady serve-receive passing. As the set wore on, Avery Bates showcased her power, helping Lakeland overpower Red Deer's scrappy defence and pull away to secure the set 25–18.
"We played extremely clean in the first two sets and were very good. But again that Red Deer team, they are old and they are good, and their coach is one of the best as well, so I didn't expect things to go easy" says Head Coach of the Lakeland Rustlers Austin Dyer.

The third set belonged to the Red Deer Queens from the opening serve, as Autumn Letwin powered the Queens to an early 3–0 lead from the back line. Red Deer's blocking wall stifled the Lakeland Rustlers attack, while relentless pressure in all phases of the game saw the Queens quickly extend their advantage. With the momentum firmly on their side and the score widening throughout the set, Red Deer dominated from start to finish, cruising to a decisive 25–8 victory.
Set four saw the Red Deer Queens strike early behind all-conference outside Nadia McKeage, jumping out to a 4–1 advantage. The Lakeland Rustlers responded with composed play from Seanna Trumier in serve receive and defence, while Katelyn Mazurkewich effectively spread the offence to showcase Avery Bates. However, the Queens maintained control as Autumn Letwin dominated the front row and Rhyen Hannett delivered clutch back-row defence. Red Deer capitalized offensively against the Rustlers' block and sealed the set with an ace, winning 25–19 to force a decisive fifth set.

The decisive fifth set featured big swings on both sides, with Avery Bates answering point-for-point with Rachel Perry as the tension built. Riding a late surge, the Lakeland Rustlers seized momentum down the stretch, pulling ahead 14–12 before closing out the set 15–13. The hard-fought finish secured the comeback win over the Red Deer Queens in a thrilling five-set battle.