Latest News

Rustlers Earn a Split Against the Vikings

It was a weekend split for the Lakeland Rustlers men's volleyball team, but their win, which ended a 12-match losing streak, came in extremely exciting fashion. The Rustlers trailed the Augustana Vikings by two sets before winning three straight sets and their third match of the year this past Friday night at the Lakeland Gym. After opening up the season with two wins, the Rustlers went winless until Friday and even though they dropped the rematch Saturday night on the road, Rustlers head coach Daryl Ford was more focussed on the win and how much it will boost his team heading into the final few weekends.

“It has been a long time and it's really good for the guys. This is going to build a lot of character for them and it's going to build up their whole excitement and that's huge. We played very well. We played the way we always thought we could. And we finally put it together,” Ford said referring to Friday's win.

Regardless of what happened Saturday, Ford knew the win would mean a lot to his team.

“We put it together and we looked like the team I thought we always could be.”

When it's been so long in between wins, it feels a little better for the team and even though they won't advance to the playoffs, they can build off Friday's success.

“It feels really good. We finally got our rhythm going. Hopefully it keeps on going from here,” Rustlers middle Aaron Enns said.

Enns had a toal of 25 kills on the weekend, including 20 during Friday's win. Enns said he noticed something different from his team against Augustana.

“I think it was intensity. We really got loud. In other games we've been loud, but we've never kept it going throughout the whole match.”

Ford admitted there was some relief in earning the win Friday and even though the team couldn't follow it up with another win, they proved they can be successful in the ACAC.Ford is really proud of his team for sticking together and not giving up during the struggles they had this season.

“They never gave up. And that's been something they've done all year. It hasn't shown with the results, but they played every set as hard as they could. I have tremendous respect for them. The guys work their butts off in practice and eventually, they'll get paid off and they finally did,” Ford explained. “I hope that's not the last one this year. I hope over our next matches we win three or four of those too. And if we do, that's a big plus for these guys, especially the guys who are coming back.”

Ford noted that it took the entire team to find success this past weekend, but he also said Enns was definitely a standout.
 
“Aaron has a few things going for him because he is an undersized middle. He is physically gifted and you can see when he jumps. He is incredibly determined to do things well. And he has character, he never gives up,” Ford said of his middle. “He's a joy to coach because anything we ask him to do, he'll do. He's a great kid to have in the program and we're very lucky to have him.”
Enns said he hopes Friday's win isn't the last of the season.

With a bye week, then four games to wrap up the year, the Rustlers are looking to finish the 2011-2012 season strong.

“We have to focus on the little things,” Enns said of the keys for the rest of the year.

The Rustlers are back in action Feb. 3 and 4 against King's

Courtesy: Robb Fenton
Lloydminster Source