Rustlers Weekend Recap - November 17, 2025
While Saskatchewan high school sports had a big weekend in the Border City, Rustlers Athletics had an eventful two days on the hardwood as well.
Rustlers Volleyball
Amidst 5A provincials hosted by Lloydminster Comprehensive, Lakeland's men's volleyball made their first appearance on the court this season. In their homestand against South Division teams, they faced the reigning ACAC Silver Medalists, the Lethbridge Kodiaks, as well as the SAIT Trojans.
In the first match, it was a back-and-forth affair early, with both teams trading great swings on the outside, before the visitors applied some great serving pressure to take the first set 25-17. In the second, the Rustlers dug themselves an early hole before battling back, eventually losing 23-25. In the third, it was tight again, before the Kodiaks opened things up midway through the set, riding that momentum into a 25-19 win. Elijah Rayner was named Player of the Game.
Saturday night, men's volleyball had a much stronger performance, outclassing the Trojans through two sets. After a drop in passing in the third, Lakeland took over in the fourth to pick up their first win of the season, 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 16-25, 25-21). Josh Bell was named POG, with 12 kills, 6 dogs and an ace, while Aiden Maier added 12 kills and a block.
Rustlers Basketball
Lakeland's basketball teams were on the road in southern Alberta, a pair of tough tests for both teams. Both Kodiaks teams are vying for playoff standing, while the Trojans sit first in the South Division for both women and men, with the latter still undefeated going into the weekend.
Lakeland's women had a great start against the Kodiaks on Friday winning the second quarter and went into the third down three, ultimately losing 42-59. Reese Fenrich had a team high 11 points and 8 rebounds. Saturday was a tougher evening against a potent Trojans squad, losing 30-100, Abbi Smith was the POG.
The men found themselves down 2-8 early in the opening quarter and had to chip away at the lead over the next 30 minutes. Down five at the start of the fourth, Lakeland finally tied the game on a pair of free throws from Jordan Horobetz-Simpson and took the lead on a Baha Salma lay-up. They wouldn't relinquish the lead for the rest of the game, winning 76-71. Simpson was massive in the victory, scoring a season high 29 points and adding 14 rebounds and 5 steals.
Saturday, the Rustlers were able to gain a one-point lead in the first quarter and trailed 39-40 at the half. A tough offensive outing in the third left them down by nine and despite outscoring the home team in the fourth, it wasn't enough with the Trojans taking it 79-74. Simpson led the squad again with 20 points, while Seth Johnson had 14 points, 6 assists and 5 steals.
What's Coming Up
Both basketball squads have a bye week before they host Ambrose and St. Mary's to finish the semester.
Men's volleyball head south, where they face the Briercrest Clippers and Medicine Hat Rattlers at 6:00 pm Friday and Saturday.
Women's hockey have the lone home tilt this Friday at 5:00 pm when they face the RDP Queens, who are tied with at 7 wins on the season. Puck drop is the same the following evening in Red Deer.
And Rustlers curling begin league play this weekend in Airdrie at the ACAC Fall Bonspiel. The women's, men's and mied teams all play their first match at 3:30 pm., before playing their last of the weekend Sunday morning.