Rae Sigurdson made the most of her years as a student at Lakeland College, learning lessons both on and off the volleyball court.
By the time she left Lakeland, the Class of 2019 alumna had graduated from the business program and completed a science degree through the university transfer program and Athabasca University. She also racked up an impressive range of awards and accolades from her time a member of the Rustlers' women's volleyball team. In recognition of her contributions to college athletics, Sigurdson was inducted this year into the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Hall of Fame.
"Going to Lakeland was easily one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life," Sigurdson says. "I got to play volleyball and make lifelong friends, all while pursuing my education. It was so much fun being around other athletes and students, while also being in a leadership role both in volleyball and academically."
Throughout her time as a Rustler, Sigurdson left her mark winning multiple accolades, both as a team member and as an individual student-athlete. She won two ACAC gold medals, an ACAC bronze, a national championship and a national bronze medal.
She was also recognized as a four-time ACAC All-Conference selection, four-time Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Academic All-Canadian, two-time CCAA All-Canadian and ACAC Player of the year in 2018-19.
When Sigurdson was informed that she had been selected for induction into the ACAC Hall of Fame, she was shocked.
"It made me even more grateful for the time I had at Lakeland. I am very nostalgic looking back on the good times and the things we got to do as a team, and all the ways it shaped me and made me a better person," says Sigurdson, who is working towards a doctor of optometry at the University of Waterloo.
As Sigurdson watched the Rustlers women's volleyball team win their second consecutive CCAA gold medal in March, she couldn't help but remember a highlight of her own - when she and her teammates won provincial gold on their home court in 2017.
"It was so cool to play in your home gym in front of the home crowd," she says. "It was the first year that we won provincials. We always knew we had the support wherever we were but it was cool to be at home and have that in-person experience, that atmosphere."
The 2023-24 team was made up of a few familiar faces.
"It makes me nostalgic. A lot of those girls were brand new when I was still on the team. It's really cool to see them grow as people and as players," Sigurdson says.
The growth of Rustlers athletics has been something that has impressed her as well.
"Back when we won provincials in 2017, it was the first time," she recalls. "It was incredible. Now it's really cool that winning national championships has become almost a regular thing for the college. Both women's volleyball and basketball won national gold this year. It's incredible to see the growth of Rustlers Athletics as a whole and rewarding to know that I got to be part of that growth."
