The Lakeland College Rustlers women’s volleyball team rushes the court to celebrate a second straight gold medal. Photos courtesy of the CCAA.
They never dreamed it was possible, but the Lakeland College Rustlers women’s volleyball team are back-to-back national champions.
The Rustlers, under the long-time direction of head coach Austin Dyer, headed to Red Deer last week as a favourite in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) women’s volleyball championship after winning Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) gold in Lethbridge on Feb. 24.
The Rustlers first took on Winnipeg’s Canadian Mennonite University Blazers on March 6, beating them in three straight sets, 25-11, 25-8, 25-12, before punching their ticket to Saturday’s championship with a three-set win (25-13, 25-13, 25-8) over the Capilano Blues of North Vancouver on March 7.
The Rustlers were looking across the court at the VIU Mariners to start Saturday night’s final, and with four straight national championships of their own, a streak the Rustlers broke last year, the Mariners were looking for revenge.
The Mariners, however, are not this year’s Lakeland College Rustlers women’s volleyball team, a group that’s dominated the court for two straight years and holds a 48-2 record.
That two-season record includes league games, conference championships and the national championship.
With history repeating itself, the Rustlers once again dominated, beating the Mariners in three straight, 25-21, 25-17, 25-10.
“Honestly, it’s something I never dreamed would happen; it’s unbelievable what this group and this team has done over the past two seasons,” said Dyer on Monday afternoon.
“Other than losing a match each year, these are two of the most dominant seasons in CCAA history … it’s been an incredible thing to be a part of and we couldn’t be happier.”
For captain Kaylie Lueck, the back-to-back national gold is bittersweet as it was her last season as a Rustler.
Setter Jana Laing tees it up for Kaylie Lueck during Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball finals in Red Deer last Saturday night. The Rustlers beat the VIU Mariners, who are four-time national champs themselves.
When asked for her thoughts on the second straight gold, she was quick to credit the people around her.
“Excitement and being so proud of my team and everything we’ve done this year, and over the past two years,” she said, with her gold medal proudly draped around her neck.
“Couldn’t ask for anything better. We’re a family and we went out and did the dang thing; very excited.”
After seven seasons in the green and gold, Lueck explained her most memorable moments took place these past two seasons.
“Last year was the craziest thing, ever, we had the most unreal year,” she said.
“The season we had leading up to ACAC, then winning that national gold was a highlight of my career.
“We did it again this year, but last year was our first.”
As for her part in the Lakeland College athletics’ history books, Lueck was happy to go out on a high note.
“It’s so exciting. Did I ever think it would happen? Don’t know. I knew I wanted a national title before I left, but to leave with two, it’s a bit of a flex,” she said with a laugh.
For fourth-year outside hitter, Jenay Varga, the repeat championship all came down to commitment.
“(It’s what) everyone puts into the team,” said Varga, while also sporting her medal.
“Once you commit you trust in the process here, this is the result you get. Everybody committed to it, worked hard, and trusted one another.
“We’ve played together now for (so long), so you just know how to play with one another, and I think that really helps.”
Looking back on the win, Varga explained the bench-clearing experience was one she won’t soon forget.
“I think I was thinking, ‘this is so cool, this is what we’ve been working for the year,’ it was amazing, and it was so cool seeing everyone run onto the court and get to celebrate another gold,” she said.
This wasn’t only Lueck’s last season as a Rustler, it was also setter Jana Laing’s last year, but Dyer has plans in the works as far as filling those big shoes.
“Replacing Kaylie and Jana’s not going to be easy, but we’re still going to have all three of our pin hitters in Jenay Varga, Lana Matthews and Avery Bates, they’re all returning, and our starting libero Seanna Trumier is returning,” explained Dyer.
“Raegan Nicol, who started to play a lot more this season, has moved into the starting lineup as well, and she would be the replacement for Kaylie heading into next year.
“Now it’s just seeing if we can get one of our young setters up to speed to be ready to do the job for us.”
For Varga, the plan is to return to Lakeland for another season on the court, but for now, it’s time to rest up in the off-season.
“We’ve got quite a few veterans now who have been in that national gold-medal final, twice, so I think that will help with that extra experience.”
