Rustlers Claim Fourth Straight ACAC Championship

The Lakeland College Rustlers women’s volleyball team proved once again that champions cannot be counted out.

Despite a season that began under difficult circumstances, the Rustlers captured their fourth consecutive Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championship in Camrose, defeating the host Augustana Vikings in straight sets to continue one of the most dominant runs in Canadian collegiate volleyball.

Lakeland defeated the Vikings 3–0 in the gold medal match (25–22, 25–16, 25–21) to secure the 2026 conference title and the sixth ACAC championship in program history.

The victory capped a remarkable season for the Rustlers, who entered the year facing an unusual challenge. When Lakeland began its regular season schedule in late November, the team started with an 0–8 record due to disciplinary sanctions issued earlier by the ACAC.

Rather than allowing the setback to derail their season, the defending champions responded by winning all 11 of their remaining regular-season matches to qualify for the playoffs as the fourth seed in the ACAC North Division.

Lakeland’s quarterfinal matchup against the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens proved to be the toughest test of the weekend. The Queens, who entered the playoffs with an impressive 17–2 record, pushed the defending champions to five sets.

The Rustlers opened the match strongly, taking the first two sets 25–21 and 25–18. However, Red Deer surged back to win the third set 25–8 and the fourth 25–19, forcing a deciding fifth set.

Lakeland trailed for much of the final frame before pulling ahead late and securing a 15–13 victory. Fifth-year outside hitter Avery Bates led the charge with a team-high 16 kills, including three crucial points in the closing moments. Middle blocker Raegen Nicol added 11 kills with just one error.

Lakeland appeared more settled in the semifinal against the NAIT Ooks, claiming a straight-set victory (25–22, 25–16, 25–18). Bates recorded 10 kills and 13 digs, while Hawryluk led the team with 13 kills, and Nicol added four blocks.

The championship final set up a rematch with the host Augustana Vikings, who entered the tournament with the best record in the North Division.

The opening set featured intense back-and-forth play as both teams responded to the energy of a packed gymnasium. With Lakeland holding a narrow 22–21 lead, serving specialist Dineka Elchyson delivered a clutch ace to help secure a 25–22 win.

The Rustlers carried that momentum into the second set, using strong serving and blocking to build an early lead before finishing with a decisive 25–16 victory.

Augustana attempted to rally in the third set, taking an early lead before Lakeland gradually closed the gap. The Rustlers tied the score at 20 before strong serving from substitute Mya Lavalee and continued offensive pressure from Bates helped seal the set 25–21 and secure the championship.

Bates finished the final with 15 kills, eight digs and two blocks, while Hawryluk was named Player of the Game with 10 kills, two aces and a block. Bates was later named tournament MVP for the second consecutive year, while Nicol and setter Katelyn Mazurkewhich were selected to the championship all-star team.

“A lot of teams would have folded with the circumstances we had to overcome,” said Dyer. “But this is a veteran group that understands how to prepare and compete. There’s no quit in them.”

With the conference title secured, the Rustlers now turn their attention to the national stage. Lakeland depart March 9 for Niverville, Manitoba, where they will defend their Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) national championship, opening