The Central Wyoming College volleyball team traveled to Powell, Wyoming this past week to compete in the Trapper Invitational hosted by Northwest College. The Rustlers played teams from Montana and Colorado in the tournament that spanned over three days: Thursday, September 12 to Saturday, September 14.

Dawson College out of Glendive, Montana was the first and only opponent on Thursday. The Lady Rustlers made quick work of the Buccaneers, winning in three sets, 25-14, 25-12 and 25-18. Presley Ryan had an outstanding match for the Rustlers, as she led the team with 10 kills and 11 digs. Ryan was a technician offensively as well, serving two aces and recording only one hitting error.

When Friday rolled around, Central Wyoming College found themselves matched up against the junior varsity team from Rocky Mountain College, an NAIA school in Billings, Montana. The Battlin' Bears proved to be stiff competition, keeping each set closer in points than Thursday's match. Middle blocker Laina Whitney, and outside hitters Presley Ryan and Khloe Hobson combined on the frontline to provide a barrage of hits RMC could not find an answer for, as each racked up 15, 13 and 10 kills, respectively. Libero Brooklyn Coats was everywhere and anywhere defensively, providing the Lady Rustlers with 18 digs. Setter Rian McKenzie was a key contributor on both ends of the match, squaring up 17 digs, as well as throwing coals on the flames of the CWC offense with 29 total set assists.

In their final competition of the tournament on Saturday, Central Wyoming College continued their display of dominance by winning their third match in three sets, beating Colorado Northwestern Community College 25-7, 25-15 and 25-11. Princess Spitzenberg led her team at the net with 10 kills and only one attack error. Rian McKenzie and Emmi Weber teamed up to dish out 18 and 13 set assists each. Middle blocker Sarah Meservey was a defensive menace at the net with two blocks and one block assist.

Freshman Presley Ryan, who impressively leads the Lady Rustlers with 99 kills this season, pointed out the silver lining when it came to playing the tournament down several key team members. "Even though we had a few of our players out with injuries, we saw it as an opportunity to step up and try new things, which led to a successful outcome for the weekend," said the freshman.