Chasing the Crown: The 2025/26 ACAC Volleyball Season Set to Ignite
EDMONTON, AB - The anticipation is building as ACAC Men’s Volleyball prepares to launch another electrifying season. The fans are ready, and teams across the conference are dialing in for what promises to be months of grit, intensity, and highlight-reel plays. From power hitters and agile setters to relentless defenders, every athlete is ready to leave it all on the court. Rivalries will reignite, new stars will emerge, and every match will carry the weight of championship ambition. With the season about to serve off, one thing is certain—ACAC Men’s Volleyball is back, and it’s bringing the heat.
“The upcoming ACAC men’s volleyball season looks to be another highly competitive and tightly contested regular season,” says Todd Caughlin, CCAA Men’s volleyball national convenor and Lethbridge Polytechnic Athletics Director. “Having the defending national champions, RDP Kings hosting this year's ACAC championships and seeing the results of the pre-season play up to this point definitely indicates that we are in for one heck of a men’s volleyball season for the ACAC! Can’t wait for both the men’s & women’s seasons to begin!”
2024/25 SEASON RECAP
The 2024/25 season was one for the history books as the Lakeland Rustlers proudly hosted the ACAC Men’s Volleyball Championships. Eight powerhouse programs battled their way through the regular season to earn a spot in the postseason: the Augustana Vikings (UAA), Keyano Huskies (KC), Lakeland Rustlers, Lethbridge Kodiaks (LPK), NAIT Ooks, Red Deer Kings (RDP), Briercrest Clippers, and Olds Broncos.
With only one coveted ticket to the CCAA Men’s Volleyball Nationals on the line, the competition was fierce. In the end, the Red Deer Kings rose above the rest, outlasting the Lethbridge Kodiaks in a commanding performance to claim the ACAC Championship title. Riding that momentum, the Kings carried their dominance to Manitoba, where the Providence Pilots hosted Nationals. There, Red Deer delivered a flawless performance—capturing the CCAA National Championship without dropping a single set—cementing their legacy as one of the most dominant teams in recent ACAC history.
2024/25 AWARD RECIPIENTS
North Coach of the Year:
Devin Varga - UAA
South Coach of the Year:
Aaron Schulha - RDP
North Rookie of the Year:
Cooper Paulovich - NWP
South Rookie of the Year:
Benjamin Farley - AMB
North Player of the Year:
Athus Silva - KC
South Player of the Year:
Colby Nemeth - RDP
LOOKING AHEAD
The countdown is on as the 2025/26 ACAC Men’s Volleyball season gets ready to serve off on October 17th. With a new year comes new rivalries, new faces, and renewed determination from every team chasing that coveted top spot in the standings. Early-season matchups are expected to set the tone for what promises to be a competitive campaign filled with fierce battles, upsets, and statement wins across the conference.
Following their dominant championship run, the Red Deer Kings will have the opportunity to defend their title on familiar ground as hosts of the 2026 ACAC Volleyball Championships—a setting that gives the reigning CCAA National Champions a powerful home-court advantage.
But Alberta won’t just be the center of ACAC action this year—it’ll be the stage for national volleyball excellence. The NAIT Ooks are set to welcome the best teams from across Canada when they host the 2026 CCAA Men’s Volleyball Nationals, bringing the country’s top collegiate talent together for what’s sure to be a week of intense, high-level competition.
From October’s first serve to March’s championship point, the upcoming season promises to be one of passion, power, and unforgettable volleyball.
About the ACAC: The ACAC is the governing body for intercollegiate athletics in Alberta. Its mission is to provide competitive collegiate sport experiences, promote academic achievement and be a leader of sport development in Canada.
For more information on the ACAC, please visit our website: www.acac.ab.ca
For additional information, contact:
Mark Kosak, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Chief Executive Officer
403-875-7329
Markk@acac.ab.ca
Emily Peterson, Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Emilyp@acac.ab.ca
Twitter: @acac_sport | #ACACsport
Instagram: @acac_sport | #ACACsport
Facebook: Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference