2025 MVB Championship Final Day Recap
Game 9: NAIT Ooks 3, University of Alberta- Augustana Vikings 1
The opening game of Day 3 at the 2025 ACAC Men's Volleyball Championships featured two North division teams vying for the consolation prize. The NAIT Ooks, who took down the Briercrest Clippers in three straight, faced the Augustana Vikings, who came back after being down a set to beat the Olds College Broncos 3-1. Augustana had bested the Ooks in both regular season meetings, 3-2 and 3-0.
Coach Devin Varga took the opportunity in the final game of the season to honour senior players on his team, starting Dylan Draker, Boris Kuljanin, and Connor Peake. Peake started off strong for the Vikings, with two kills in the opening set. NAIT continued to struggle from the service line as they did on Friday but were able to maintain a lead thanks to the offensive contributions of Joel Nickel and Chris Rooker. Setter Mason Gorski continued to shine for the Ooks, distributing kills to all lanes throughout the set, leading them to win the opening set 25-19.
The Vikings refused to go away in the second set, maintaining a lead for the majority of the second frame and causing NAIT to use both timeouts. Kuljanin continued his excellent weekend, providing stability for the Vikings. Scrappy defence by NAIT wasn't enough as the Vikings continued to effectively place the ball, with Augustana winning the second set 25-18.
NAIT managed to regain control of the game in the third set, with Julien Phillips (5 kills in the third set) providing a spark off the bench for the Ooks. Both teams' resilience contributed to a handful of long rallies during the set, but the Ooks were able to maintain control throughout, putting them up 2-1 with a 25-17 victory.
Gorski continued to control the game in the final set, providing both Rooker and Phillips with sets throughout the frame. Peake helped the Vikings in their attempts to close the gap, but the Ooks were effective in shutting down the Vikings' attacks. Ben Kieser played solid defence at the net for NAIT throughout the final set. The Ooks won the set on a kill, winning the match 25-17, crowning them consolation champions.
Boris Kuljanin (7 kills, 3 aces) was awarded Player of the Game for the Vikings and setter Mason Gorski (39 assists, 3 aces, 5 digs) got the nod for the Ooks. Congratulations to both teams on a successful season!
Game 10: Keyano College Huskies 3, Lakeland College Rustlers 0
The Lakeland College Gymnasium was packed for the 2025 ACAC Men's Volleyball Championship Bronze Medal match between the North first and second place teams, the Keyano College Huskies and the Lakeland College Rustlers. Lakeland came into the contest looking to capitalize improve from losing in last year's bronze game, while Keyano hoped to add a second consecutive ACAC medal following the silver from last season. In the regular season Keyano bested the series 2-0, winning 6 out of 7 total sets played.
The game began with a score from Declan Mercer of the Rustlers, causing the home crowd to erupt. A few early errors from the Huskies allowed Lakeland to gain the early edge, but the game remained close throughout, with both teams exchanging impressive kills. A huge hit by setter Kiefer Sinclair forced Keyano to take the first timeout of the contest, and strong defence exhibited by the Rustlers gave them a commanding 20-16 lead. A defensive masterclass by middle blocker Athus Silva allowed the visiting team to close the gap, and in combination with a few costly Rustler errors, the Huskies were able to seal the first set 25-21.
Silva continued to dominate, opening the second set with a monstruous kill. The Rustlers continued to struggle with the blocking of the Huskies, with contributions from Brody Kopec and Preston Yole in addition to Silva proving challenging for the home team. The Rustlers called an early timeout as they struggled to get an effective attack off Rafael Parada's serve. Energy provided by the home crowd kept the Rustlers within reach of the Huskies, but defensive efforts from Anderson King of the Huskies proved too challenging for Lakeland's attackers. Gabriel Bjorkas put together a string of offensive and defensive plays to keep the Rustlers in the game, but ultimately their struggles with Keyano's blocking lead to their demise. Keyano captured the second set 25-19.
The Rustlers entered the third set flat, being down 0-2 with the chance at a Bronze medal on the line. Keyano continued to play relentless defence, digging even the best-placed balls by the Rustlers. Silva continued to dominate at the net, and Parada's contributions from the service line as well as attacking propelled Keyano to a substantial lead. A missed serve by the Rustlers earned the Huskies the ACAC Bronze medal, winning the final set 25-16.
Outside hitter Rafael Parada was awarded Player of the Game for the Huskies; Gabriel Bjorkas captured the prize for the home team.
Tournament All-Stars were awarded to fourth year outside hitter Brody Kopec and fifth-year libero Anderson King from the Keyano College Huskies.
Game 11: Gold Medal Final - Red Deer Polytechnic Kings, Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks
It all came down to this: The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings faced off against the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks in the gold medal match, with the winners being crowned 2025 ACAC Men's Volleyball Champions and getting to continue their season at CCAA Nationals in two weeks. The Kings, who are ranked #1 in the country, received their only loss of the season at the hands of the Kodiaks, losing in 5 sets to the CCAA 7th ranked Kodiaks. Red Deer had yet to lose a set in the tournament, beating the Augustana Vikings and Lakeland College Rustlers in straight sets, whereas the Kodiaks had beat the NAIT Ooks in 3 and had a thrilling match to beat the Keyano College Huskies in five.
Both teams opened the game by exchanging kills, with each side having a healthy section of fans. A few early errors by the Kings gave Lethbridge an early lead, but Brett Lower for the Kings provided consistency, as he had all weekend. Nolan Moes remained aggressive for the Kodiaks, as did Ethan Mashim out of the right side. The two powerhouse teams went back and forth throughout the set, but a massive kill from Lower out of the right side gave the Kings the first set victory 25-23.
Kohlbe Anderson began to heat up in the beginning of the second set, giving the Kodiaks much-needed energy as they look to even the match. Unforced errors by the Kodiaks caused them to call their first timeout early, but a run from Moes put the Kings on their heels. Despite the Kodiaks' defensive tenacity, Nemeth continues to find success from the left side, but it proved to be too late as the Kodiaks took the second set 25-22.
Early service errors from the Kodiaks gave Red Deer early control over the third set. Both defences were locked in, creating long rallies between the teams. The Kings were able to spread out the lead with multiple different hitters finding success, all of it orchestrated by setter Brett Theise. A service ace by Lower put the Kings up 19-12, forcing Lethbridge's second timeout. Despite Moes continuing to provide for his team, the Kings took the third set 25-16.
In a do-or-die fourth set for the Kodiaks, Ben Dyck was able to provide energy and urge his team to continue to battle. Emotions began to rise on both sides with the championship trophy waiting to be claimed. A string of errors from the Kodiaks put them down early, a tough position to battle back from against the top ranked team in the CCAA. The Kings were able to maintain control of the set from start to finish, with Nemeth and Lower leading the charge on all fronts. The Kodiaks' service error ended the set and game, resulting in the Red Deer Kings victory 25-18, giving them the 3-1 win.
Nashim (12 kills) was awarded the Player of the Game for the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks and Nemeth (15 kills,4 digs) , took home the honours for the champion Red Deer Polytechnic Kings.
Fifth year outside hitters from the Kodiaks, Nashim and Moes, were awarded Tournament All-Stars, as was second year hitter Dyck. Brett Lower and Nemeth were given the nod for the Kings, and fifth-year setter Theise was awarded tournament MVP.
The Red Deer Polytechnic Kings will represent the ACAC in the 2025 CCAA Men's Volleyball National Championship tournament, held at Providence University College in Niverville, Manitoba, on March 5-8th, 2025.