NEWS PHOTO JAMES TUBB
Medicine Hat College Rattlers forward Katelyn Rozdeba battles contact for a lay-up in the fourth quarter of the Rattlers 66-38 win over the Red Deer Polytechnic on Mar. 4.
jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference’s South Division player of the year trophy was Katelyn Rozdeba’s from the season’s beginnings.
The ACAC announced Thursday afternoon that Rozdeba, a fifth-year Medicine Hat College Rattler, had been selected as the 2021-22 ACAC women’s basketball South Player of the Year.
The Medicine Hat product led the ACAC in total points, points per game, total rebounds – both offensively and defensively – rebounds per game and minutes played per game. She was also named a first team all-star and was player of the game multiple times throughout the season.
Terry Ballard, Rattlers manager of athletics and recreation, said in a press release that it’s great to see Rozdeba be rewarded for her hard work.
“Kate has been such an important part of the Rattlers women’s basketball team for the last four years, and it’s so great to see her rewarded for her hard work,” Ballard said. “Kate is the epitome of a Rattler student-athlete; she is an outstanding athlete, a very strong student and someone who continually gives back to the community. Congratulations Kate on such a terrific Rattlers career.”
Rozdeba and the Rattlers women’s basketball team finished the regular season with an 8-8 record and won their first playoff matchup against Red Deer Polytechnic 66-38 on Mar. 4. They lost their second game against St. Marys University 69-48 the next day to end their season.
Rozdeba told the News before the Red Deer post-season game she’s not one to look her own stats but has enjoyed her season and has heard her name mentioned along the ACAC MVP award.
“I’m not really someone that looks at my stats or pays attention to that,” Rozdeba said. “But it is exciting and I’ve heard that a little bit. It’s a big goal and a big reward at the end of playing here for five years. It is exciting to look forward to.”
Before joining the Rattlers in 2017, Rozdeba played at Monsignor McCoy for the Colts. Her former coach, Janice Laing, said she is so excited for her being rewarded for her hard work since high school.
“I am over the moon excited for her, she is one of the hardest working kids I have ever coached,” Laing said. “She earned that award. She put the time in every year from Grade 7 on, she was a little baller when she was little, she was a great high school player and she’s been a great college player. I am so proud of her, she deserves it.”
Rattlers volleyballer named conference all-star
Wednesday afternoon, Dryden Gris, a middle blocker for the Rattlers women’s volleyball team was named an ACAC South all-conference all star for the 2021-22 season.
MHC coach Kim Stonehouse said in a team release that Gris leads by example and always gives her full effort on the court and in practice.
“She is determined and her passion for her sport truly comes out when she plays. I am proud of the young lady she is becoming on and off of the court,” Stonehouse said. “Dryden didn’t have the smoothest season, battling injuries and sickness, but it didn’t stop her. Her determination was the fire we needed to keep pushing through a challenging season for everyone. This award is very well deserved, she has worked hard for this recognition.”
The Rattlers women’s volleyball team finished the season with a record of 1-15.
