Rustlers Athlete Spotlight - Lana Matthews

In a program full of alumni who've left an impression on the Border City, Lana Mathews still stands out.

From her unique journey to Lakeland College, to her distinctive play on the left-side for women's volleyball, the fifth year from Sturgeon County has taken full advantage of the student-athlete experience. Not only has she studied harder than she did as a teenager, but Matthews also said the relationships she's made have helped make this a defining stage of her growth as a person.

"Coming here, being a student became a forefront for me," she said. "Knowing that it's not just my teammates and having a group of people on campus to support you outside of volleyball is great."

"Being a part of helping Lana develop as an athlete, but more importantly as a person, is something I'm very proud of," Head Coach Austin Dyer said when asked about the experience of getting to coach #8.

Heading into the Christmas break, Matthews said she's choosing to live in the moment as she finishes her career with the program that helped to reinvigorate her love for the sport.

"During my youth career, I was fighting to have a team atmosphere where everyone wanted to show up and work hard, give 110 percent, regardless of what happened that day at school," she said. "It didn't matter what school or club year I had; it was never fulfilling in that way."

"But when I came here for a visit and had practice with Austin [Dyer], I knew immediately this is home, what I was searching for."

Matthews came from a volleyball-crazy family, with two parents as coaches, one a paralympic athlete. Following graduation in 2019, she competed at Grande Prairie College (now known as Northwestern Polytechnic). Despite some success in that time, the 5'9 left-side was looking for more.

"I had always had this goal of going to play U-Sport," Matthews said. "Start in the ACAC, get the necessary reps and experience, and then move up."

"During COVID, no one was playing except this team out on the Alberta border. When I wasn't even able to work out up there while watching them practice online, I told my dad I need to go there."

Since transferring to Lakeland in 2022, she's played a significant role in the women's program becoming the CCAA standard for women's volleyball, winning two national championships, along with multiple All-Star awards. This season, Matthews is averaging her highest kill-per-set average in her time with the Rustlers at 3.25 and was recently named ACAC and CCAA Athlete of the Week.

Her aggressive, dynamic style of play made her an instant hit with players like right-side Avery Bates. Matthews has been able to impact matches on defence and offence, frequently producing a spectacular diving dig or a heavy swing punctuated with an energetic celebration.

"She's the type of player who changes the game with every play and leaves all she has out on the court," Bates said.

Thanks to her performance on the court and personality off of it, Matthews has gained more than a few fans who attend games, including a number that she's coached who bring signs. She said that's one of the most gratifying elements of being able to compete with the Rustlers.

Knowing you're impacting kids and their love for the sport gives you a wholesome feeling," she noted. "I know I won't be able to play forever, but knowing there's always opportunities, like coaching. It's not fair to keep the knowledge you've gained a secret."

When her college career ends in March, Matthews will have classes to finish for Business Administration and then look for an opportunity to play professionally, in North America or overseas. Knowing that this chapter is coming to an end is something she's keenly aware of, but less for the run of on-court success and more for her time with her teammates.

"It's coming, so I can't put pressure on if we win or lose," she said. "It's important to deal with the relationships made and that's what's harder, knowing that we're not coming back to spend time with each other."

Matthews and the Rustlers will try to extend their 30-match winning streak Jan. 17, when they host the Concordia Thunder. The team is well positioned to clinch the North Division again heading into the ACAC Championship, which will take place Feb. 20-22 in Camrose