As the winter sports season progresses, several NAIT athletes have been dominating the leaderboard in their respective sports. From volleyball to hockey, these athletes are proving their talent, hard work, and dedication. We sat down with a few of them to discuss their experiences, challenges, and goals for the rest of the season. 

One of those athletes is Mason Gorski, currently ranked second in his sport for assists, he has been an instrumental player for the NAIT Ooks men's volleyball team this season. When asked how it feels to be ranked so highly, Mason expressed that it's a reflection of both his personal growth and the team's success. 

"It's good. It kind of resembles how well our team is doing in a sense," Mason said. "When I've been doing well, it's usually because our team is doing well. My job is to put our hitters in a good position, and being ranked at the top is a testament to how well they're performing too." 

Transitioning from high school to college-level competition wasn't without its challenges for Mason, especially with the faster-paced game at the collegiate level. "The biggest change is the speed," he explained. "In high school, little things would score, but here, everything is faster, and if you don't set the ball right, it's coming back at you." 

Reflecting on his success this season, Mason credited his coaching staff and teammates for his progress. "Having coaches like Reese and Jake has been huge. They've played at a high level and have taught me how to see the game differently," he shared. 

In hockey there is first-year athlete Kelly Stanford. She has made an immediate impact, currently ranking among the top five in her sport for not only points but assists as well. Her strong start to the season has been impressive, and she is grateful for the support of her teammates. 
"Yeah, it feels pretty sweet," Kelly said. "It's a huge accomplishment, and it feels good to see all the hard work pay off." 

Transitioning to the college level came with its challenges, especially with the unfamiliarity of the environment. "I came from the Alberta Junior Female Hockey league, and it was all new to me here in Edmonton," she said. "I didn't know what to expect, but my teammates made the transition a lot easier." 

Kelly credits much of her success to her teammates and coaching staff. "Without my teammates, I wouldn't be able to have the points I do," she said. "They've been super supportive, and that's made a huge difference." 
Looking forward, Kelly's goals are both personal and team-oriented. "Personally, I want to pick up where I left off last semester, despite the injury setback," she shared. "And for the team, we're aiming to win the championship again and finish strong into playoffs." 

Like Kelly, Courtney Webber is also a first-year athlete who is making waves in her sport. She is a standout libero for the women's volleyball team and is ranked among the top five in her sport in digs per set, and her dedication to the position is evident. Known for her relentless work ethic, Courtney has embraced the challenge of excelling in an undervalued role. 
"It feels very rewarding," Courtney said about her ranking. "I've worked really hard to get here, and as a libero, I want to be the best at my position. If I'm going to play an undervalued role, I'm going to be the best at it." 
The biggest challenge Courtney faced in transitioning to the college level was the speed of the game. "The speed of the game was the biggest adjustment," she explained. "But once I got used to it, I had to balance being a student and an athlete, while also making sure I was getting enough rest." 

Courtney attributes much of her success this season to a shift in her mindset. "I was really hard on myself in preseason, thinking I had to be perfect. But I watched videos of top-level liberos, and I realized it's all about mentality and how you respond to mistakes," she said. "Now, I focus on making my teammates' jobs easier and keeping a positive mindset." 

As for her goals, Courtney's aspirations are clear. "I set high goals for myself, like making all-conference libero," she said. "For the team, I want to be a leader and support my teammates whenever they make mistakes. I want to be their safety net." 

Like Courtney, Rachel Mallet has made a name for herself as a top performer in women's volleyball as a first year, she is also currently ranked among the top five in volleyball for kills per set. Her success this season is the result of both her personal dedication and her team's support. 

"Being ranked among the top feels really rewarding," Rachel shared. "It shows that all the hard work I've put in this season has paid off." 
For Rachel, the biggest challenge in transitioning to college-level competition was adapting to the different types of players and their playing styles. "I've always played at a high level, but there are so many new players and styles of play at the college level," she said. 
Reflecting on her success, Rachel emphasized the importance of her team's support system. "My teammates have been a huge support system," she said. "They've always boosted me up, and that's been a big part of my success." 

Looking ahead, Rachel is focused on both individual and team goals. "For me, I want to stay on the leaderboard and keep improving," she said. "As a team, we're aiming to make it to nationals, and I'm excited to see what we can achieve." 

These athletes are not just making waves on the leaderboard; they are showing the power of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. With the rest of the season ahead, we can expect even more success from these talented individuals as they strive to achieve their personal and team goals.