Local volleyball standouts, Mya Lavallee and Charlotte Adamcryck, pictured here as national champions with the Lakeland Rustlers. (Submitted photo/Charlotte Adamcryck)

By Martin Martinson

CCAA Champs

Battlefords duo reflect on national volleyball championship with Lakeland College

Mar 14, 2024 | 3:25 PM

It didn’t take long for North Battleford’s Charlotte Adamcryck and Mya Lavallee to experience the full thrill of all that comes with collegiate sports on the biggest stage, as members of the 2024 national champion, Lakeland Rustlers women’s volleyball team.

Red-shirting with the recently-crowned Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) champions on the team’s run to a second-straight national title, while the pair may not have seen in-game action, they did receive a first-hand crash course of what it takes to compete at the highest level of collegiate sports in Canada, practicing with the team and soaking up wisdom from a veteran-laden championship group.

“It’s really a family here, and it’s been really exciting just to be a part of this whole experience this year,” Lavallee said. “Everyone is so skilled on our team, so it’s just really cool to get to learn from them and watch them play in such a high-profile setting. It was very cool and exciting.”

“The speed is a lot faster and you’re playing with players who have been here for four, five, or even seven years, so they are really well-adjusted,” Adamcryck added. “It’s a super cool opportunity to get to learn from these players who have been here and know the game inside and out.”

The Lakeland Rustlers team picture, as national volleyball champions. (Submitted photo/Charlotte Adamcryck)

Health

Saskatchewan warned of helium supply cut because of Middle East war

3h ago

Out of this World

WATCH: Canadian Space Agency's first space to Earth video call with Jeremy Hansen

4h ago

Iran War

Iran calls on public to find 'enemy pilot' as U.S. continues frantic search

9h ago

Despite having both joined the college ranks this year coming off decorated high school and club volleyball careers in the Battlefords, remarkably this season marked their first chance to suit up alongside one another as teammates on the volleyball court, after starring for different high schools – Lavallee with North Battleford Comprehensive High School, and Adamcryck with John Paul II Collegiate.

Still, having a familiar face from a similar upbringing to take the journey alongside is something both have credited as having played an invaluable role in helping ease the transition to the post-secondary ranks.

“It was honestly super nice to have Mya here when I got here, because I was nervous and just having someone that I did know a little bit was really nice,” Adamcryck said. “Any time I needed anything, I could just ask Mya and she was someone I just felt super comfortable with from the beginning.”

“Totally,” Lavallee echoed; adding,” It’s hard at first coming onto a team where everybody is so close because they’ve spent every single day together last year, so it was nice having Charlotte here just having someone to talk to and relate to, and it’s so nice being able to play together.”

With all but a couple of players from this year’s Rustlers championship roster eligible to return next fall, Lakeland College will again enter the 2024-25 season with high hopes and expectations for continued success, something the Battlefords duo is looking forward to as they aim to establish themselves further at the college level.

“I think everyone’s already quite excited for next year to see what we can do,” Adamcryck said of the mindset surrounding the team. “We are going to be missing some big parts of our team next year with two graduating players, so I think it’s going to be exciting to see what new players are going to be bringing to the court next year and just to see what we’ll be able to do.”

“We still have a very, very good team,” Lavallee added. “We have hopes of returning to nationals and I think it can happen, so I’m just really excited to see what next year brings.”

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1