Clara and Cassie Peake dominated the court while playing club volleyball with Club West in Virden and at Major Pratt High School.
Kylee grew up with a front-row seat to greatness, watching her older sisters dominate on the court. Few things brought her more joy than cheering them on, but deep down, she knew her time was coming.
She wasn’t just a spectator—she was a student of the game, soaking in every play, every moment. And when her chance arrived, she was ready.
Kylee stepped onto the court in grade seven, eager to carve out her path. That same year, she joined RCV in Russell, diving headfirst into the club volleyball scene.
"I was always in the gym watching and cheering them on," said Peake. "I was so excited to start playing, I had always known it would be my time to get on the court."
Kylee didn’t just step onto the court—she took command of it. From the moment she started playing, it was clear she had the instincts and skill to take over a set. While fans erupt for thunderous kills—a spectacle Kylee delivers with ease—she can read the game that truly sets her apart. If a finesse roll shot is the right move, she’ll execute it with precision, leaving defenders scrambling.
But she’s not just an offensive weapon. Kylee is a defensive force, rising high to shut down attackers with her imposing blocks. After dominating the elementary school scene, she transitioned to high school at Major Pratt, suiting up for the junior varsity squad in grade nine.
Her momentum was building, but then the world hit pause. The COVID-19 pandemic derailed her grade 10 season, forcing athletes everywhere to adapt. While the competition stopped, Kylee didn’t. She trained relentlessly, sharpening her skills and preparing for her comeback.
And what a return it was. Joining the varsity squad in grade 11, Kylee helped lead Major Pratt to back-to-back provincial championships. Along the way, they didn’t just win—they took down some of the province’s top teams, proving they belonged among the elite.
For most athletes, a championship run is a dream. For Kylee and her teammates, it was reality. And she wasn’t just part of it—she was one of the reasons it happened.
"That was so exciting, we had such a great group of girls," continued Peake. "We all grew up playing together so we were dominant. We were friends on and off the court, so it was easy to come together and win."
Kylee was also named an all-star at the provincials in back-to-back seasons.
"I was very happy with myself," commented Peake. "I worked extremely hard at practice every day. I guess it paid off at the end, I was very proud."
While playing club volleyball in 18-U, Kylee played for Kevin Neufeld, the head coach of the Assiniboine College Cougars women's volleyball team.
"I really enjoyed his coaching, it was a great year for me," said Peake.
One thing led to another and Kylee had signed on the dotted line. She was set to join the AC Cougars volleyball team to begin her collegiate career. The signing was a special moment for Kylee and she'll never forget.
"It was pretty exciting, I was honestly very nervous coming into college, I wasn't sure how things would change," offered Peake. "It was definitely more serious and put together. I enjoyed the transition, I had always known I wanted to play college volleyball."
Kylee quickly made her presence felt with the Cougars, playing in 19 matches last season, and finishing with 214 kills. Kylee averaged 2.85 kills per set and had 33 aces on the service line. Defensively, the Binscarth star had 190 digs.
Her team came up just short in the playoffs, however, Kylee still took home some hardware as she was named a conference all-star.
"That was awesome, a lot of the credit goes to my teammates, they pushed me," commented Peake. "I couldn't do it alone, it was a great feeling."
Back with the Cougars this season, Kylee put together another outstanding season. She finished with 201 kills, averaging 2.91 per set. She had 28 aces, 178 digs, and four solo blocks. Kylee went on a tare during a four-game stretch from January 11-24, collecting 62 kills in four matches.
Peake was one of just three athletes to record at least 200 kills this season in MCAC play, her 2.91 kills per set ranked second in the conference, and her 178 digs were tied for second. It was a season to remember and not only did Peake add another conference all-star nod to her resume, she was recognized Canada-wide.
Kylee touched down in Oshawa, Ont., last week, not to compete, but to make history. At the national tournament awards banquet, she was honoured as a Canadian Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) All-Canadian—an achievement no athlete from Assiniboine College had ever earned.
While the nation’s top teams battled for a championship, Kylee was already a winner, standing among the best in the country and proving that hard work and talent can put any program on the map.
"I honestly didn't even know it was a thing until I got an email," said Peake. "It was super awesome to be in Oshawa and to receive the award is so special. It was a great experience to see what it's all about. Watching the volleyball was incredible."
This season is in the books, but Peake is already focusing on preparing for next year. It's likely to be her last in a Cougars uniform and she's hoping to lead the team to the national tournament. The Providence Pilots out of Niverville will host the event, meaning two MCAC teams will participate.
The Cougars have been close in the past two years, and Peake will do everything in her power to make sure they get over the hump next season.
"That's definitely our goal, it would mean everything to compete with my teammates on the national stage," ended Peake. "We have a ton of returning players next year, we're going to be a very strong group. Everyone knows what the goal is and it's to win an MCAC championship and battle for a national title."
