Lakeland Rustlers advance to fifth-place game with four-set win

The Lakeland College Rustlers recovered from Thursday's tight loss to secure their first win of the 2023 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference Men's Volleyball Championship Presented by Elite Promotional Marketing at the Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre in Fort McMurray, Alta.  
 
"It was a great win for the guys," said Rustlers' outside Brock Tomyn. We came from a tough last night against Red Deer. [It's] the highest we've ever placed and everyone played great. It was really cohesive tonight." 
 
The four-set victory (25-22, 25-27, 25-21, 25-21) saw the Ruslters and Broncos trade close set victories to open the game before the North Division fourth seed pulled ahead for good in the third and fourth sets.  

"Our guys battled," said Rustlers Head Coach Taylor Dyer. "We played Olds way back in November and they beat us at home.  
 
"We knew there were going to be a tough test. This is a first for our program. In the history, having the highest finish that we've ever had. It's a good stepping stone and I'm glad the guys battled it out." 
 
Tomyn led his side and all players with 15 kills while teammate Gustavo Lobato was close behind with 13. Aidyn Phillips led the Broncos with 14 kills.  
 
Jesse Stoddart led his Broncos with 20 digs, while Lobato had a team-leading 11 for the Rustlers.  
 
The win sets up Saturday's first matchup with the Rustlers and The King's University Eagles meeting in the fifth place match.  
 
Stoddart and Tomyn took Player of the Game honours for their respective sides.