Weekend Preview: Kodiaks draw national attention in weekend competition

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks face a busy weekend of competition, with court sports set for key matchups against the higher-ranked Briercrest College Clippers while the indoor track season opens in Edmonton.

Kodiaks basketball hosts Briercrest tomorrow night with the women tipping off at 6 p.m. followed by the men at 8 p.m. The doubleheader coincides with Junior and Senior High School Appreciation Night, with students in grades 6 through 12 eligible for free admission and a pre-game meal with advanced registration. The teams play again Saturday, with the women playing at 1 p.m. and the men at 3 p.m.

Kodiaks volleyball heads to Saskatchewan for a two-day series against the Clippers. Matches are scheduled for 5 and 7 p.m. tomorrow followed by Saturday contests at noon and 2 p.m.

The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) indoor track season also begins Saturday with Kodiaks student-athletes travelling to the Kinsmen Sports Centre in Edmonton.

Basketball
WBB Kodiaks (6-7) vs BC Clippers (9-4)

Friday, Jan. 23 | 6 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

Saturday, Jan. 24 | 1 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

The Kodiaks women's basketball team hosts the No. 1 team in the South Division, Briercrest Clippers, for back-to-back games. With only a six-point difference between Briercrest at No. 1 and the Kodiaks at No. 6, even a split this weekend can put the Kodiaks in a good push for playoff positioning. Lethbridge will need to carry their momentum from two upset wins last week as they are in for a battle. Summer Long (first year, General Arts and Science, Raymond) who was recently highlighted as the Kodiaks Athlete of the Week, ACAC Athlete of the Week and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) will be a key factor in the Kodiaks' offensive success this weekend. 

MBB Kodiaks (9-4) vs BC Clippers (10-3)

Friday, Jan. 23 | 6 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

Saturday, Jan. 24 | 1 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

The Kodiaks men's basketball team has the chance to solidify its CCAA national ranking and replace the Clippers as the No. 2 ranked team in the South Division. They will look to hand Briercrest its first conference loss since the winter break. The Kodiaks will need to stay composed and consistent throughout each game. To be successful, Lethbridge will look to control the tempo and limit Briercrest's transition opportunities, while continuing to execute efficiently in the half court. Levi Balderson (second year, General Arts and Science, Welling) will be a pivotal player for the Kodiaks this weekend. He currently ranks fourth in the ACAC in three-point field goals and fifth in steals, providing impact at both ends of the floor. Recently named Kodiaks Athlete of the Week, his ability to stretch the defence and generate turnovers could play a major role in shifting momentum in Lethbridge's favour.

Volleyball
WVB Kodiaks (1-10) vs BC Clippers (10-3)

Friday, Jan. 23 | 5 p.m. | at Briercrest College

Saturday, Jan. 24 | Noon | at Briercrest College

The Kodiaks women's volleyball team heads into a challenging weekend series against the Briercrest Clippers, who sit second in the ACAC South Division standings. With a young roster continuing to gain valuable experience, the Kodiaks will look to build momentum through consistent execution. Strong serve pressure and solid first contact will be key as Lethbridge works to disrupt Briercrest's offensive rhythm. Madison Yates (first year, General Arts and Science – Psychology and Sociology, Swift Current, Sask.) is expected to be a key defensive presence, anchoring the backcourt after moving into the starting libero role following the winter break.

MVB Kodiaks (8-3) vs BC Clippers (10-3)

Friday, Jan. 23 | 5 p.m. | at Briercrest College

Saturday, Jan. 24 | Noon | at Briercrest College

The Kodiaks men's volleyball team heads into a pivotal weekend series against the Briercrest Clippers, with both teams jockeying for position in the ACAC South Division and the national rankings. Both programs are nationally ranked, with Briercrest sitting seventh and Lethbridge ninth in the country. With a narrow gap between the two teams, the series presents an opportunity for the Kodiaks to make a push in the national rankings. With Lethbridge entering the weekend with a healthier lineup and continuing the process of returning to full strength, consistent execution on defence will be key as the Kodiaks look to challenge the Clippers. Briercrest's gym features a low ceiling, and against a physical Clippers attack, Lethbridge will look to its middle blockers, including Tristan Iwanczuk (first year, Business Administration, Lethbridge), to close blocks and slow the offence. Veteran libero Malcolm Fisher (fifth year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) will also play a key role in keeping the Kodiaks defence composed, delivering controlled passes and digs that avoid the low ceiling and sustain offensive rhythm.

Indoor Track
IT | Grand Prix #1 | at Kinsmen Sports Centre | hosted by CUE

The Kodiaks indoor track teams open their season this weekend at the first Running Room Grand Prix of the year. With the addition of the NAIT Ooks to the indoor track program, the Kodiaks will be among 11 teams competing for the conference championship this season.

The Kodiaks enter the season looking to build on a strong 2025 indoor track campaign that saw the women's team finish third overall at the ACAC Championships and the men place second. With several key contributors moving on, this year's roster features a blend of returning experience, cross-country standouts and multi-sport athletes.

On the men's side, distance events will be led by runners coming off an impressive cross-country season. Ethan Grasmeyer (third year, Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science, Smithers, B.C.) led the team at every meet this fall, earning ACAC all-conference honours while helping the Kodiaks capture silver at championships and qualify for nationals. Jonah Hennig (fourth year, Criminal Justice – Policing, Blackfalds, Alta.) returns as the lone athlete from last year's indoor championship medalists, bringing valuable experience to the lineup. Local athlete Zach Hillier (first year, Engineering Design Technology, Lethbridge) adds further depth after a strong first collegiate cross-country season.

On the women's side, Katrina Michel (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Okotoks) returns after leading the Kodiaks to a bronze medal at the ACAC Cross-Country Championships and a berth at nationals. First-year Ally McDonald (Therapeutic Recreation – Gerontology, Lethbridge) also impressed during the cross-country season and is expected to contribute during the indoor campaign.

The Kodiaks will also benefit from a strong group of multi-sport athletes, including Khloe Jankowiak (third year, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge), Kiara Jankowiak (third year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) and Hazel Baumbach (second year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge), who also compete with the women's soccer and futsal programs. Paighton Kumson (third year, Correctional Studies, Edmonton) brings additional versatility as a member of the women's basketball team, while Jaxon Uhl (fourth year, Business Administration – Management, Lethbridge) competes alongside the Kodiaks men's soccer and futsal teams.

With depth across events and a strong endurance core, the Kodiaks open the indoor season with their sights set on another competitive showing at the ACAC Championships later this winter.