The Rustlers outmatch the Clippers in the quarterfinals
Red Deer, February 23, 2023 – The number one team in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC), the Lakeland College Rustlers, showed why they are at the top of the conference as they defeated the Clippers in three straight sets.
These two teams faced off with each other just 12 days ago when the Rustlers defeated the Clippers in three straight sets with the closest set being a nine-point difference.
At 8-7, the Clippers won what was a really long and enduring rally after a kill from outside-hitter Kelsey Simes (Master of Counselling). This point tied it up at eight. Halfway through the opening set, the Clippers and Rustlers were just exchanging points to stay neck and neck with each other. Lakeland finally would pull away from the Clippers in the late stages of the set which forced the Clippers to call a timeout as they were down 19-17. After giving up three straight points following the brief break, Briercrest used up their final timeout of the set. The Rustlers end up scoring six straight points to take the first set 25-17.
After going down early, the Clippers have battled back to within one point of the Rustlers near the halfway point of the second set. A few points later, Lakeland College extended their lead to four points which led to a timeout called by the Clippers coaching staff. In what was the longest rally of the match that saw multiple last-second digs, Simes would end it with a huge big block on the outside which happened to be her first in the match. Rustlers middle Kaylie Lueck (Bachelor of Education) would pick up her second kill of the match on the set-clinching 25th point.
Lakeland started the set on all cylinders as they jumped out to a 10-3 lead and looked to make quick work of Briercrest. The Rustlers would continue their dominant ways and take a 15-7 lead into a Clippers timeout. The Rustlers would take the final set 25-13 after a kill from outside-hitter Lana Matthews clinched the match for her team, who was later named player of the match.
Rustlers Head Coach Austin Dyer explained why outside-hitter Jenay Varga (University Transfer) is the special player that she is.
"I love it when the opposing team targets our best player because it proves to everyone why she is the best player and why she is the best player in the ACAC. She is an all-around athlete and that showed tonight."
The Clippers player of the match went to veteran setter Jess Zacharias who had 28 assists and six digs.
The Rustlers will face the Queens tomorrow night at 8 pm in the semi-finals with a spot in the championship finals on the line. The Huskies await the Rustlers as Keyano College lost to the Queens in four sets in the previous match.