For the MRU Cougars men's volleyball team, the images that defined the 2025-26 season tell a story of growth, resilience and a program on the rise. From an impressive start to the season, through moments of adversity, breakthrough performances, individual accolades and a hard-fought playoff battle, the Cougars continued to lay the foundation for future success.

The following gallery highlights some of the defining moments from a season that showcased both how far the program has come and the promise that lies ahead.

1. Oct 17 - “A Brand-New Year.”  The Cougars' starting lineup is pictured under the lights of Kenyon Court for the start of the 2025-26 season. The Cougars started their season with a matchup against the TRU Wolfpack.

2. Oct 17 - “Flex on 'em”  Ryan john is seen celebrating as the Cougars flexed their offensive muscles in their opening day win over the TRU Wolfpack. 

3. Oct 18 - “Sweep Victory.”  The Cougars bench is seen celebrating after capping off an opening weekend sweep over the TRU Wolfpack; a feat that hasn't been done by the team since the 2022-23 season.

4. Oct 24 - "Rising Up."  Ryan McAlpine elevates for a kill during MRU's 3-1 victory over the Saskatchewan Huskies. A versatile and reliable presence throughout the season, McAlpine made an impact at both ends of the court, finishing among the team's leaders in multiple offensive and defensive categories.

5. Oct 25 - "Riding High." Kai Toney, Isaac Karstad and Grant Hill celebrate after the Cougars completed their second consecutive weekend sweep, this time over the Saskatchewan Huskies. The victories extended MRU's winning streak to four matches, their longest run of the season.

6. Oct 31/ Nov 1 - "Adversity." After opening the season with back-to-back sweeps and building early momentum, the MRU Cougars encountered their first real challenge of the year, dropping consecutive games to the Brandon Bobcats.

7. Nov 14 - "Refocused."  Following a difficult weekend in Brandon, the Cougars regrouped and refocused, shown here locked in before taking on MacEwan.

8. Nov 15 -"Unstoppable."  Kale Orr slips a kill past a wall of Griffins defenders during a career performance. The rookie recorded a season-high 29 kills to help power the Cougars to a hard-fought five-set win.

9. Nov 15 - "Response." After experiencing their first setback of the season, the Cougars answered in emphatic fashion, celebrating their third weekend sweep of the first half and demonstrating the resilience that would end up defining their campaign.

10. Nov 21/22 - "Hitting the Break."  The Cougars entered the holiday break after a pair of tightly contested battles with the University of Alberta. While the results didn't fall in MRU's favour, the first half of the season established the team as a legitimate Canada West playoff contender.

11. Jan 30 - “Somethings got to give.” Calvin the Cougar personifies the team's emotions after MRU drops a season long 7th consecutive game. 

12. Jan 31 - "Guidance."  Head Coach Shawn Sky settles his team as the Cougars look to halt a seven-game skid against UBCO. Since arriving in 2004, Sky has been a constant presence behind the program, providing both stability and the drive to push MRU volleyball forward.

13. Jan 31 - "Back in the Win Column."  Kale Orr powers home one of his 17 kills as the Cougars returned to form with a commanding 3-0 victory over UBCO. At the time, the Heat sat among the top five teams in Canada West, making the win a statement performance for MRU.

14. Jan 31 - "The Many Faces of Marek Janutka."  Few players wear their emotions as openly as Marek Janutka. Whether providing a spark with his energy and intensity or helping steady the group in key moments, his passion is contagious and plays an important role in the Cougars' success.

15. Feb 6 - "Final Homestand."  The Cougars made the most of their final regular-season weekend at home, delivering back-to-back 3-0 victories over the Dinos. The dominant performances provided a fitting sendoff before the team turned its attention to the postseason.

16. Feb 7 - "Senior Night."  Before their final home match of the season, the Cougars took time to recognize graduating student-athletes Max Turgeon and Matthew Clements. The ceremony celebrated their contributions to the program and the impact they made throughout their MRU careers.

17. Feb 7 - "Clinched."  Back-to-back sweeps of the Dinos in the final homestand of the regular season secured the Cougars a spot in the Canada West play-in series. The reward was a postseason rematch with their cross-city rivals, setting the stage for another chapter in the Battle of Calgary.

18. Feb 13/14 - "Last Test."  With the postseason on the horizon, the Cougars faced one final challenge against the TWU Spartans. The series served as a valuable measuring stick ahead of the playoffs, as the Spartans went on to finish the regular season with an impressive 17-3 record.

19. Feb 15 - "All Rookies."  First-year standouts Kai Toney and Kale Orr earned spots on the Canada West All-Rookie Team following impressive debut seasons. Orr's remarkable campaign garnered even greater recognition, as he was named both Canada West Rookie of the Year and U SPORTS Rookie of the Year.

20. Feb 15 - "A Leader Beyond the Court."  Max Turgeon's commitment to making a difference beyond the court was recognized with the Canada West Community Service Award. Through leadership, volunteerism, and academic excellence, he embodied the very best of the student-athlete experience. 

21. Feb 19 - "The Battle Continues." After MRU swept the regular season series in dominant fashion, the Cougars and Dinos met once more in a winner-take-all playoff series with their postseason futures hanging in the balance.

22. Feb 19 - “First Blood." An animated Devon Sales-Parno celebrates as the Cougars take game 1 of the Canada West play in series against the Dinos.

23. Feb 21 - “One Last Push.”  Head Coach Shawn Sky delivers a final message to his team before the fifth and deciding set of Game 3 against the Dinos.

24. Feb 21 - "Not a Loss, but a Lesson."  The Cougars' season came to an end in a hard-fought play-in series against the Dinos, but the future remains bright for the volleyball program. With a young core gaining valuable playoff experience and several key pieces returning, the lessons learned throughout 2025-26 have laid the foundation for even greater success. As MRU looks ahead to hosting the 2027 U SPORTS National Championship, the belief is growing that the Cougars can compete with anyone in Canada West.