Weekend preview: Kodiaks take on Broncos in playoff-shaping weekend
The Kodiaks court sports are back in action after their bye week.
Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks court sports are back in action after their bye week. The Kodiaks will take on the Olds College Broncos with volleyball hosting back-to-back games and basketball playing on the road.
Volleyball
WVB Kodiaks (1-12) vs OC Broncos (3-12)
Friday, Feb. 6 | 6 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium
Saturday, Feb. 7 | 1 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium
The women’s volleyball team is searching for its first home-court victory of the season. Olds College features a similar lineup, with a roster largely made up of younger players.
The Kodiaks will need a well-rounded performance from their go-to outside, Robyn Austin (second year, Business Administration, Lethbridge), who has been crucial this season by leading the team in both kills and digs. Sofia Janzen(third year, Agriculture Sciences, Carseland, Alta.) is another key contributor, leading the team in blocks and service aces. With strong performances from these two and consistent play from the rest of the lineup, the Kodiaks will have a good chance against the Broncos.
MVB Kodiaks (8-5) vs OC Broncos (5-10)
Friday, Feb. 6 | 8 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium
Saturday, Feb. 7 | 3 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium
The Kodiaks men’s volleyball team is looking to bounce back after a hard-fought battle against a the nationally ranked Briercrest Clippers program. This weekend’s games present a strong opportunity to solidify a playoff spot with two wins. The Kodiaks will need to stay disciplined on defence, as Olds features an efficient offence, including the league leader in hitting percentage at the outside position.
The team will look to libero Malcolm Fisher (fifth year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) to set the tone in the backcourt after earning back-to-back Player of the Game selections during the recent road trip. A strong serving performance from Ben Dyck (third year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale) could also be a game changer, as he ranks in the top five in the league for service aces per set. His powerful topspin serve can apply significant pressure and help create easier first contacts, allowing the Kodiaks to transition quickly into offence.
Basketball
WBB Kodiaks (7-8) vs OC Broncos (4-11)
Friday, Feb. 6 | 6 p.m. | Olds College
Saturday, Feb. 7 | 1 p.m. | Olds College
The Kodiaks women’s basketball team enters the weekend riding the momentum of an upset victory over this year’s championship host and the top team in the South Division standings. With second through sixth place separated by just a few points, the Kodiaks will have to be near perfect down the stretch as they continue their push for a playoff spot.
With the pressure to win out, consistent leadership from Summer Long (first year, General Arts and Science, Raymond) and Chase Wells-Creighton (second year, Exercise Science, Standoff) will be relied upon to keep the group locked in and focused. Meanwhile, fourth-year Gaby Power (Early Childhood Education, Calgary) is hitting her stride at the right time, coming off a career-high 18-point performance, including four three-pointers, in the team’s most recent outing. Her emerging offensive spark could be a difference-maker as the Kodiaks push toward the postseason.
MBB Kodiaks (10-5) vs OC Broncos (2-13)
Friday, Feb. 6 | 8 p.m. | Olds College
Saturday, Feb. 7 | 3 p.m. | Olds College
The men’s basketball South Division is tightly contested, and two wins this week would put the Kodiaks in a strong position heading into their final games as they push for a playoff spot. While the matchup may look favourable on paper, the Kodiaks cannot afford to overlook a Broncos team with nothing to lose, especially with both games being played in the Broncos’ home gym.
Jackson Wright (third year, Business Administration, Claresholm, Alta.) enters the series against the Broncos coming off back-to-back career-high performances, providing the Kodiaks with a strong and physical presence in the paint. Levi Balderson (second year, General Arts and Science, Welling, Alta.) continues to be a key contributor on the perimeter, making his mark as a disruptive defender and efficient shooter by ranking third in the league in steals while shooting 40.3 per cent from the three-point range, adding valuable two-way impact as the Kodiaks push toward championships.