5-set victory sends Rustlers to Conference Championship

Lakeland faced down a 2-1 deficit at home, with the stakes as high as they've been in the past decade for the program.

The Rustlers hosted the NWP Wolves in a play-in game, the winner of which would be the 4th seed at the ACAC Championship. Early on, strong serving from the home side, and weak serving form the visitors, paved the way for the 25-16 win. In the second, the Wolves cleaned up their serving game and began to battle through rallies, coming from behind to win 25-23 and riding that momentum in the third set, where they won 25-20.

However, Lakeland was able to rely on strong play from 5th year Gustavo Lobato, who's aggressive swinging from the service line and at the net paid dividends in the last two sets, 25-22 and 15-7. Among his nine service aces, non were bigger than the ones in the tiebreaking set.

Fellow 5th year Lane Matthews was the opposing POG, with 33 assists. Lobato added 17 kills.

The Rustlers will face Red Deer Polytechnic, the South Division's top team, in the Quarterfinals.