Last year’s ACAA champions continue their reign
The Mt.A Women’s Volleyball Team have carried their momentum from last year’s championship win into the 2026 season. In an interview with The Argosy, third-year, left side player, Mya Artibello discusses what’s it like this season after last year’s championship win. Artibello says after last year’s championship win, the “team goes into every game expecting to win.” For Artibello, this is almost “a bad thing” as “when we win, we already expected it, so we don’t get as excited. It’s almost just like okay, that’s done. Onto the next. And we won’t be content until we win another championship.” This year they have won 13 out of 18 of their regular season matches! The team has two away games remaining before the championships, both against Crandall University. Mt.A’s next match is scheduled for Feb. 14, and is expected to be a close contest. The two teams have not faced each other since Nov. 15, where Mt. A edged out a narrow 3-2 victory.
This year has brought some fond memories for the team, for Artibello, the best was the “white out” game. “White out” was an event hosted at the McCormack Gymnasium where fans arrived matching the players white jerseys. This year was “so energetic and loud” says Artibello “[which] made the win feel even more exciting!”
Competing in volleyball is not “a one woman show,” says Artibello, “because you literally cannot get away with only one person handling the ball.” For the team, Artibello says this means having “an immense amount of trust in each other,” something that is often easier said than done. For Artibello, collaboration with her teammates is especially important during matches when she is not having her “best game,” as you can’t always have “100 per cent [effort] in you.” Trusting your team on and off the court is integral to the win. Artibello says “even when I am not doing my best, they will help carry my load and we will get through it as a team.”
For new varsity students, Artibello reassures that “if you have been a high-level athlete your entire life, balancing academics and athletics is not going to be that big of a change.” While the commitment may appear overwhelming from the outside, most varsity athletes are accustomed to making significant commitments to their sport. Artibello explains that in high school she traveled “an hour and a half, there and back for practice,” in order to play on a competitive club team. To become the best player she could be, Artibello had to make sacrifices, and those sacrifices continue in University. Artibello says “you may not always be able to go out with your friends, or [you will] have to miss the big party, but if you love your sport enough, it won’t matter! Being organized, committed, and using all your time wisely is the most important when being a student-athlete!”
The Mt.A Women’s Volleyball team continues to be a team to beat in the ACAA. Fans are encouraged to attend matches with energy and support from the stands as the Mounties continue their climb to the top.
Find out more about the team at: https://mountiepride.ca/sports/wvball/index