A 19-year championship drought for the Alberta Pandas ended in just 73 minutes as they sped their way to the top of Canadian university women’s volleyball on Sunday.
The Pandas captured their eighth national championship on Sunday night, defeating the Sherbrooke Vert & Or in straight sets at the 2026 U SPORTS Women’s Volleyball Championship at the Langley Events Centre. The 3–0 victory (25-13, 25-23, 25-12) gave Alberta their first national title since 2007.
Alberta controlled the match with a balanced attack, efficient hitting and a dominant presence at the net, finishing with a .340 team hitting percentage while limiting Sherbrooke to just .042. The Pandas also recorded 12 blocks and six service aces in the victory, dictating play from the opening serve.
Fourth-year outside hitter Laila Johnston was named the player of the match for Alberta after a stellar performance that helped power the Panda offence. Johnston recorded 12 kills without an error on 24 swings for a .500 hitting percentage while also adding eight digs in a strong all-around effort.
Across the net, Sherbrooke libero Danaé Vaillancourt earned player of the match honours for the Vert & Or, collecting 10 digs while anchoring the team’s defensive efforts throughout the contest.
The victory capped a remarkable season for Alberta, which finished the year with a 25-2 record, including an 18-2 mark in Canada West play. After falling just short of the national title in recent seasons, the Pandas made no mistake this time, delivering their most complete performance of the tournament in the championship match.
Alberta set the tone early, jumping out to a quick lead in the opening set behind aggressive serving and strong play at the net. Championship MVP Abby Guezen sparked the Pandas’ offence with several early kills and a pair of service aces, while the Alberta block frustrated the Vert & Or attackers.
The Pandas rolled to a convincing 25-13 opening-set victory, using six team blocks and consistent pressure from the service line to keep Sherbrooke off balance.
The Vert & Or responded in the second set with their best stretch of the match. Led by outside hitter Britanie Maranda and middle Florence Stevanovic, Sherbrooke found more rhythm offensively and pushed Alberta in a tightly contested set.
Sherbrooke erased an early deficit and stayed within striking distance throughout the middle stages of the set. Setter Elle-Marie Fillion distributed the offence effectively as the Vert & Or began to challenge the Pandas’ defence with more consistent attacking.
But Alberta once again delivered in the biggest moments. Johnston and Payton Henderson combined for key late points while Justine Kolody orchestrated the offence from the setter position, helping the Pandas edge the set 25-23 and move within one set of the national title.
The third set saw Alberta reassert full control.
Behind a strong run from the service line and continued dominance at the net, the Pandas quickly built a comfortable lead. Guezen and Johnston continued to attack effectively from the pins, while Ronnie Dickson and Allie Moore contributed key blocks in the middle.
Sherbrooke struggled to find offensive consistency as Alberta’s defensive system limited the Vert & Or’s attacking opportunities. The Pandas gradually pulled away before closing out the championship with a 25-12 third-set victory.
Guezen finished with 11 kills, four service aces and six digs in the final, capping a tremendous tournament performance that earned her the championship MVP honour. Kolody added 31 assists to guide the Alberta offence, while Henderson and Moore provided important contributions on both sides of the net.
Sherbrooke, despite the loss, completed one of the best seasons in program history. The Vert & Or finished the year with a 26-3 record, including a dominant 20-1 campaign in RSEQ play.
Their silver medal represents Sherbrooke’s best national finish since winning gold in 2005 and marks another milestone for a team that established itself among the elite programs in the country this season and won the RSEQ conference championship for the first time in 21 years.
For Alberta, the victory adds another chapter to one of the most successful traditions in Canadian university volleyball. The Pandas now own eight national titles and returned to the summit of U SPORTS women’s volleyball.
MIKASA PLAYERS OF THE MATCH
Laila Johnston — Alberta Danaé Vaillancourt — Sherbrooke
CHAMPIONSHIP MVP
Abby Guezen — Alberta
CHAMPIONSHIP ALL-STARS
Abby Guezen — Alberta Mackenna Knox — Brock Justine Kolody — Alberta Laila Johnston — Alberta Brittanie Maranda — Sherbrooke Kaylee Plouffe — Trinity Western Danaé Vaillancourt — Sherbrooke
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