Weekend Recap: Kodiaks on the big stage

Nov. 14, 2023 — Over the weekend the Lethbridge College Kodiaks women’s volleyball team snagged their first two wins of the season while the men’s team split their games against the Medicine Hat College Rattlers.

Kodiaks cross-country travelled to Truro, N.S. to compete in the 2023 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Nationals. The team did not disappoint as all of the Kodiaks runners achieved personal bests.

Volleyball

Nov. 10 WVB | Kodiaks 3 vs. Medicine Hat Rattlers 1

The Kodiaks women won 3-1 in the exciting first game of the home-and-home series Friday against the highway 3 rivals. The first set saw Kodiaks Kourtney Serfas (first year, Bachelor of Nursing, Turin, Alta.) with five digs to help on the defensive end of the set. The Kodiaks won the first set 26-24.

The second set saw the Kodiaks put up 11 kills thanks to setter Taryn Bach (third year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) with nine assists. The Kodiaks kept up their defensive intensity and took the second set 25-19.

In the third, the Rattlers found their rhythm, but the Kodiaks did not quit, ending with a score of 25-23 for the Rattlers. 

The fourth set saw the Kodiaks take charge from the start, shutting down the Rattlers. Kodiaks Abby Sauder (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Swift Current, Sask.) put up six kills in the final set and Bach added with seven assists. The score of this final set was 25-16. 

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #17 Eryka Woods (third year, Business Administration, Lethbridge)

MHC Rattlers: #1 Olivia Jacobson

Nov. 11 WVB | Kodiaks 3 vs. Medicine Hat Rattlers 1

In the second night of the home-and-home series, the Kodiaks faced a Rattlers squad eager to win.  The Kodiaks scored the first point of the night, but the Rattlers countered, setting off a back-and-forth first set. The Kodiaks Bach played a key role in the first set with two digs and 11 assists. Despite the Kodiaks best efforts, the Rattlers snuck away with a 26-24 victory.

The Kodiaks regrouped for the second set. Kodiaks Serfas had a crucial dig and three kills that fuelled the Kodiaks with energy. The Kodiaks won 25-23. 

The third set saw the Kodiaks display exciting defensive prowess from the first serve. The Rattlers did not quit but in the end, the Kodiaks held the Rattlers to 17 for the win of 25-17. 

In the fourth and final set the Rattlers were desperate for the win and a shot at a fifth set, but the Kodiaks continued to playing consistent. The intensity from both teams created an atmosphere of energy and excitement for the fans at the Val Matteotti Gymnasium. Bach had four crucial digs and 11 assists to help secure the fourth set 25-20 for the Kodiaks.

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #1 Taryn Bach

MHC Rattlers: #3 Anica Haberstock

Nov. 10 MVB | Kodiaks 1 vs. Medicine Hat Rattlers 3 

The Kodiaks came out strong on the road Friday night, but the Medicine Hat Rattlers were able to take the first set 25-23.

The Kodiaks came out in the second set ready to battle back in front of an amped up Rattler crowd. The Kodiaks had 14 kills in the second set, led by Nolan Moes (fourth year, General Arts and Science, Barrhead Alta.). After a back-and-forth set, the Rattlers took the second 25-23.

The third set saw the Kodiaks claw their way back for the win. Ben St. Pierre (third year, Open Studies, Red Deer, Alta.) led his team with 44 assists for the evening to help the Kodiaks win an exciting third set 25-23.

The Kodiaks needed a win in the fourth set to force a fifth set and a chance to stay undefeated. Led by Moes and Paul Dionne (fourth year, Open Studies, Weyburn, Sask.) the Kodiaks battled hard, putting 25 points on the board but in the end, it wasn’t enough. The Rattlers won 27-25.

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #1 Ben St. Pierre

MHC Rattlers: #1 Sawyer Krebs

Nov. 11 MVB | Kodiaks 3 vs. Medicine Hat Rattlers 0

Coming off a loss the night before, the Kodiaks entered the Val Matteotti Gymnasium Saturday night ready for revenge. Neither team could secure a lead of more than three points throughout the first set, giving the fans something to cheer about. The Kodiaks took the set 25-22.

The Kodiaks took the lead early in the second set going on a 4-0 run before the Rattlers could get on the scoreboard. Fans were treated to a set full of offensive prowess and impenetrable defence. The Kodiaks had a 14-point lead at one point, before securing a 25-12 victory.

The third set was much of the same as the second, with an explosive Kodiaks squad jumping to a six-point early lead. They secured a 25-17 victory.

Players of the Game:

LETH Kodiaks: #14 Nolan Moes

MHC Rattlers: #9 Landon Reiniger 

Cross-Country

Nov. 11 CC | CCAA Cross-Country Championships

The Kodiaks cross-country team travelled to Truro, N.S., to race in this year’s CCAA Cross-Country Nationals. The team competed well as a whole with all the Kodiaks runners finishing with personal records. Katrina Michel (first year, Practical Nurse, Okotoks) was the only female runner to qualify for the event. She finished in the top half of the runners in 40^th place of 99 competitors. The men’s team was led by Owen Stewart (second year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) as he finished in 22^nd place. The men’s team finished 10^th overall against Canada’s best college runners.

Men’s race results:                                                      Women’s Race