Player Highlight: Elijah Rayner, Men’s Volleyball

Through the up's and down's of ACAC men's volleyball post COVID, an unproven, undersized middle has become a steadying presence for the Lakeland Rustlers.

Elijah Rayner has enjoyed the full spectrum of the post-secondary athlete experience over four years in the Border City. He started as a fourth-string middle blocker in his rookie year, to being thrust into the starting lineup, then veteran starter and now co-captain as the team chases a sixth straight playoff appearance. What makes his success more impressive is that at 6'3, he stands several inches shorter than the average middle blocker in the ACAC.

"I feel like I've always just been a hard worker," Rayner said. "I'm not a very big guy, but I don't make a lot of errors."

Head coach Taylor Dyer noted Rayner's steadiness as a critical part of their success.

"Being undersized at his position has not stopped him from performing at the highest level," Dyer said. "What he lacks in stature he makes up for in athleticism and hard work. A constant offensive threat that certainly helps our group perform every weekend."

Prior to his time at Lakeland, Rayner was an unlikely find for Dyer, between his size as a middle, as well as his lack of experience compared to many of his peers. During his high school years, he played just one year of club volleyball.

"I played hockey and baseball," he said. "Then in grade 10, I started to really play volleyball. COVID took away club opportunities, but all my friends played. That's when I started to take it more seriously."

Rayner didn't receive many offers to play post-secondary, but received a Lakeland hoodie from an aunt that first piqued his interest and connection with the Rustlers program. To say he's enjoyed the experience is putting it lightly.

"The guys are amazing, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," Rayner said. "I haven't missed a practice or a game, it's been amazing."

After a year, current right-side Aiden Maier leaving the program for a year allowed for him to take a leap, as Maier previously played middle, along with the addition of Australian setter Kiefer Sinclair.

"I got pretty lucky with Aiden not being able to come back, which gave me a spot," Rayner said. "Then with Kiefer, we had a really good connection."

Over the past two years, Rayner and the Rustlers finished top four twice, while he also got the chance to play down in Australia with Sinclair in the summer of 2024. That unique experience shaped his game and outlook on the sport.

"It was basically a summer focused on volleyball," he said. "We'd go play pepper in the backyard, go to practice almost every night."

"They treat as a player, not as a position player, so you get more well-rounded."

Several players choosing to red-shirt this season has allowed Rayner to go from always being a younger guy on the team to becoming one of the leaders and most experienced veterans in the locker-room, a role he's embraced.

"I've never been a captain before, but it's been great," he said. "Off the court I'm pretty quiet, but on the court I'm more of a leader."

"Elijah's positivity, leadership, and veteran presence has been so important this season," Dyer said. "Just a great teammate to have on the team."

Heading into this weekend against Augustana, the men's team have a chance to crack the post-season, but will need to reach their highest level of performance to garner enough wins. Despite some early struggles, Rayner said the group is rounding to form.

"All the guys are finding a flow and getting more comfortable," he said. "If we get a few more wins, we have a chance to make playoffs still."

Elijah Rayner is in his fourth year of Business Administration at Lakeland College. He and the rest of the men's team will take on the Vikings here in Lloydminster Saturday nightat roughly 8:00 pm.