WEEKEND RECAP: PILOTS VS. ASSINIBOINE COUGARS — HOME DOUBLEHEADER
The Providence Pilots hosted the Assiniboine Community College Cougars this weekend for a two-day volleyball doubleheader. Both the women's and men's teams battled through intense stretches, showcasing standout individual performances across the board.
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
November 21 — Cougars 3, Pilots 0
The Pilots opened the weekend with a competitive but challenging match, falling in straight sets (20–25, 17–25, 20–25).
Despite the loss, Providence had several bright spots:
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Abby Akinbolaji led the attack with 5 kills, adding defensive presence with solid net touches.
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Angelle Turenne contributed 4 kills, 2 solo blocks, and an ace, providing momentum at key moments.
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Zoe MacLellan was efficient, hitting .300 with 3 kills, and added 4 total blocks to anchor the middle.
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Setter Georgia Friesen spread the floor with 11 assists and added 2 aces.
Providence held close in each set but couldn't string together the extended runs needed to close out the Cougars.
November 22 — Cougars 3, Pilots 0
The Pilots showed improved offence and defensive grit in Saturday's rematch but ultimately fell 21–25, 21–25, 19–25.
Key performances included:
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Tyra Peters led the way with 9 kills, adding an ace and 6 digs in a strong all-around match.
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Avery Pauls added 8 kills while hitting at volume, and contributed at the net with a block assist.
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Angelle Turenne was a spark off the bench with 4 kills, 2 blocks, and an ace.
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Amanda Bergen quarterbacked the offence with 27 assists and added 2 service aces.
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Jesslyn Neumann chipped in 3 kills, 2 aces, and a team-high 2 block assists.
The Pilots were within striking distance late in each set but couldn't slow ACC's balanced scoring down the stretch.
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL
November 21 — Pilots 3, Cougars 0
Providence opened the weekend with a decisive sweep (28–26, 25–19, 25–23), using a balanced attack and steady blocking to take control.
Standout Pilots:
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Will Soper hammered down 12 kills, leading all hitters while adding a service ace.
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Cole Doell delivered 9 kills and 3 aces, impacting the match on both pins and from the endline.
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Jesse Vanden Berg added 7 kills, 3 solo blocks, and a service ace for one of his strongest defensive outings of the season.
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Liam Buhler was reliable in the middle with 3 kills, 3 solo blocks, and steady coverage.
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Setter Marcus Zeilstra ran a smooth offence with 28 assists, adding 1 kill and 7 digs.
The Pilots' blocking—9 solo blocks as a team—played a decisive role in controlling the Cougars' top hitters.
November 22 — Cougars 3, Pilots 2
Saturday brought a five-set thriller, with Providence battling wire-to-wire before falling 18–25, 25–23, 25–23, 23–25, 14–16.
Despite the narrow loss, the Pilots showcased some of their best individual efforts of the season:
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Cayden Williams led Providence with 12 kills, 1 ace, and 5 digs, providing consistent scoring on the left side.
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Liam Buhler was outstanding in the middle, hitting .381 with 10 kills and adding a service ace and 4 digs.
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Lukas Klassen delivered a breakout performance with 9 kills, hitting an impressive .467, and adding 8 block assists.
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Will Soper chipped in 9 kills and was impactful in long rallies.
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Setter Jesse Peters powered the offence with a massive 42 assists, adding 3 block assists and 4 digs.
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Rylan Landstad contributed defensively with 6 digs and 3 block assists, helping anchor the backcourt.
The Pilots pushed hard in the decisive fifth set, trading points deep into extra rallies before ACC edged out the final two-point margin.
WEEKEND RECAP: PILOTS BASKETBALL SHINES AT FAITH BAPTIST CLASSIC
Providence basketball traveled to Ankeny, Iowa for the 2025 Faith Baptist Basketball Classic, competing in a demanding three-game slate against NCCAA opponents. Both Pilots teams showcased growth, resilience, and standout scoring across the tournament.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
November 21 — Pilots 58, Faith Baptist 57
The Pilots opened the Classic with a nail-biting one-point win over host Faith Baptist.
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Faith Larocque powered the offence with 21 points and 7 rebounds.
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Adrian Alley added 17 points, hitting key shots during crunch time.
A composed defensive final possession secured the victory.
November 21 — Pilots 68, Central Christian 52
Providence delivered a fast-paced, wear-you-down performance, taking full advantage of their system-style line changes against Central Christian's eight-player rotation.
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Faith Larocque posted 19 points and 9 rebounds.
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Lily Anderson controlled the paint with 9 rebounds.
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Omiyosiw Warren contributed 12 points, giving Providence balanced scoring.
A strong second half allowed the Pilots to comfortably pull away.
November 22 — Manhattan Christian 76, Pilots 66
Playing their third game in three days, the Pilots put up a determined fight but fell short against Manhattan Christian.
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Adrian Alley led with 19 points, going 3-for-5 from deep.
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Faith Larocque and Lily Anderson each scored 15 points, keeping Providence within reach throughout.
The Pilots finished the weekend 2–1, a strong showing against tough U.S. competition.
MEN'S BASKETBALL
November 20 — Faith Baptist 84, Pilots 64
Providence opened the tournament with a challenging matchup against Faith Baptist.
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Rhys Maestre sparked the offence with 24 points, including 4-for-5 from three.
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Burden Alexander added efficiency from deep, going 2-for-2.
Despite competitive stretches, extended Faith runs created separation late, and it was enough to leave the Pilots behind.
November 21 — Central Christian 70, Pilots 66
The Pilots responded with one of their most competitive games of the season, narrowly missing the comeback.
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Braden Akers led with 18 points.
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Rhys Maestre followed closely with 17.
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Lucas Egitto added 11 points, and he and Hayden Wiebe each pulled down 7 rebounds.
Providence stayed within one possession through the final minute in a promising effort.
November 22 — Manhattan Christian 94, Pilots 56
The Pilots faced a tough Manhattan Christian squad in their final game of the Classic.
While results didn't fall their way, the weekend provided valuable early-season development.
LOOKING AHEAD
A busy home-and-away stretch awaits Providence Athletics:
Volleyball
The Pilots return home to host the CMU Blazers on Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 29.
Saturday is Alumni Appreciation Day, featuring alumni vs. alumni matches in the morning at Providence before the varsity action begins.
Women's Basketball
The Pilots hit the road again, traveling to South Dakota for a doubleheader at Sisseton Wahpeton. Another opportunity to build on this weekend's momentum awaits.
