Pandas capture back-to-back Canada West titles

Recap by University of Alberta Sports Information. Photos by Connor Hood.

EDMONTON, AB – For the second-straight year and 13th time in program history, Pandas Volleyball have Won the West. In what turned out to be an all-time conference final, the Pandas survived a desperate comeback bid from the Trinity Western Spartans, capturing a Canada West banner at home thanks to a 3-1 win.

Leading 2-0, the Pandas dropped the third set 25-20, before falling behind 19-11 in the fourth. With a fifth set seeming inevitable, a Justine Kolody service run sparked a sensational comeback for the Pandas, who saved a Spartans set point, before clinching a Canada West Championship with a 26-24 win.

"It's an incredible moment. To share one last thing in our home gym, with our friends and family watching. We couldn't ask for anything better than to win that game," said Canada West Player of the Year Abby Guezen. "Props to our players that came in for the fourth set. They just showed that no matter what player we have on the court, we can finish a game."

Guezen had a match-high 24 kills for the Pandas, adding an ace and six digs. Payton Henderson had 10 kills, while first team CW All-Star Justine Kolody had 46 assists.

Maryn Boldon led the Spartans with 15 kills, with Kaylee Plouffe adding 14 and Sienna Driedger scoring 12.

Very little separated the two rivals on Saturday night, with the Pandas earning a slight edge in kills (60-51), and aces (7-6). Both teams will now head to Langley next week, as the Spartans host the 2026 U SPORTS Championship.

Alberta scored a staggering 18 kills and four blocks in the first set, edging out a thrilling 28-26 win. The Pandas also finished with a .424 efficiency in the opener, thanks to five kills from Guezen, and four each from Johnston and Henderson. The Spartans were led by seven kills from Boldon and five each from Driedger and Plouffe.

The Pandas led for the entirety of the second set, cruising to a 25-15 win. Guezen was sensational in the second, recording eight of the Pandas 17 kills. Once again, Alberta was very efficient in attack, committing only three errors in the second, and finishing with a .519 attack %. The Pandas also had four aces, allowing just five Spartans kills on 14 attempts.

Desperation set in for the Spartans down 2-0, which then saw them explode offensively in the third. TWU went from five kills to 17 between sets two and three. Each Driedger, Boldon, and Plouffe had 11 each through three sets, with a much stronger serve game throwing the Pandas out of system. Not able to run their offence as cleanly, the Pandas dropped from 17 kills in the second, to 10 in the third.

The Spartans held all the momentum early in the fourth, jumping ahead 14-6 in a blink. After another string of points, the Spartans were up 19-11, and on the cusp of forcing a fifth set. Needing a spark, Pandas coach Carolyn O'Dwyer switched nearly their entire lineup, which immediately produced the Kolody service run. Guezen secured the championship with her 24th kill on match point.

The 2026 U SPORTS Championship will kick off next Friday at the Langley Events Centre.