Weekend Preview: Kodiaks set for crucial conference matchups

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks are ready for another full weekend of events.

Kodiaks basketball teams play their last home game of the season tonight and will honour their senior athletes before they play the Medicine Hat College Rattlers. Tomorrow, the teams will travel to Medicine Hat to close out the home-and-home series.

Volleyball mirrors basketball as they start the weekend on the road against the Rattlers before returning to their home gym tomorrow evening.

Also tomorrow, the Kodiaks indoor track team competes in their second Alberta College Athletics Conference (ACAC) Running Room Grand Prix event. 

Volleyball

WVB Kodiaks (3-12) vs MHC Rattlers (2-15)

Friday, Feb. 13 | 6 p.m. | Medicine Hat College

Saturday, Feb. 14 | 6 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

The Kodiaks women’s volleyball team will look to carry over the momentum from last weekend’s back-to-back wins as they prepare to take on their Hwy. 3 rivals.

The Kodiaks will lean on their offensive depth as they prepare for their matchup against the Rattlers, led by go-to outside Robyn Austin (second year, Business Administration, Lethbridge), who is coming off a standout weekend that featured a 14-kill, 10-dig double-double performance and was named Kodiaks Athlete of the Week. Lauren Barker(fourth year, Architectural Animation Technology, Calgary) and Robyn Rivard (first year, Automotive Systems certificate, Calgary) continue to provide steady production at the net with their heavy arm swings, while Reese Hanusich (fourth year, General Arts and Science, Red Deer) helps guide the attack and keep the offence balanced. With contributions across the lineup and a strong defensive presence behind the ball, the Kodiaks will look to deliver another composed and complete effort against their highway rivals. 

Volleyball

MVB Kodiaks (10-5) vs MHC Rattlers (5-12)

Friday, Feb. 13 | 8 p.m. | Medicine Hat College

Saturday, Feb. 14 | 8 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

The Kodiaks men’s volleyball team heads into the weekend riding the momentum of a home sweep over Olds College and clinching a playoff spot. 

The Kodiaks will look to maintain their offensive efficiency after posting impressive team hitting percentages in both matches last weekend. Cameron Marshall (third year, Criminal Justice – Policing, Adelaide, South Australia) continues to be a major force on the outside, and sits top four in the conference for three hitting category stats. Ben Dyck (third year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale) remains a key contributor both at the net and from the service line, while Ben St. Pierre (fifth year, Open Studies, Red Deer) has directed the offence effectively, combining strong assist totals with steady defensive play. In the backcourt, Malcolm Fisher (fifth year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) will once again be relied upon to anchor the defence and provide stability in serve receive as the Kodiaks prepare for their matchup with the Rattlers.

Basketball

WBB Kodiaks (9-8) vs MHC Rattlers (7-10)

Friday, Feb. 13 | 6 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

Saturday, Feb. 14 | 6 p.m. | Medicine Hat College

The Kodiaks women’s basketball team heads into the weekend with an opportunity to officially clinch a playoff spot as they prepare to take on the Medicine Hat Rattlers. With Medicine Hat sitting just behind them in the South Division standings, the matchup carries added significance and could prove to be a defining moment in the playoff race. 

Lethbridge will look to build off last weekend’s sweep over Olds College, leaning on Summer Long (first year, General Arts and Science, Raymond), who delivered in key moments, including a clutch three-pointer and a late three-point play to seal Saturday’s win. Nyomi Heins (second year, Therapeutic Recreation – Gerontology, Diamond City, Alta.) continues to provide steady scoring and defensive pressure, while Gaby Power (fourth year, Early Childhood Education, Calgary) has been impactful on both ends with timely shooting and disruptive play in the passing lanes. Inside, Chase Wells-Creighton (second year, Exercise Science, Standoff) brings a strong presence on the glass and in the paint. If the Kodiaks can maintain their defensive intensity and execute in key moments, they will put themselves in a strong position to lock up their postseason berth. 

Power will be honoured as the team’s graduating athlete on Seniors Night prior tonight’s game.

MBB Kodiaks (12-5) vs MHC Rattlers (8-8)

Friday, Feb. 13 | 8 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

Saturday, Feb. 14 | 8 p.m. | Medicine Hat College

The men’s basketball team heads into a pivotal weekend matchup against the Medicine Hat Rattlers with a chance to officially clinch a championship spot. Sitting ahead of Medicine Hat in the South Division standings, the series carries major implications, as the Rattlers remain in the hunt for a potential championship spot if they win out. With postseason positioning on the line for both teams, the stage is set for a highly competitive showdown.

Lethbridge will look to build off last weekend’s home sweep over Olds College, highlighted by high-powered offence and timely defensive stops. Jackson Wright (third year, Business Administration, Claresholm) continues to be a steady force, attacking the rim and delivering in clutch moments, while Levi Balderson (second year, General Arts and Science, Welling, Alta.) provided a major spark with key three-pointers and disruptive defence that turned into transition offence. Nathaniel Hosannah (second year, Business Administration, Tacoma, Wash.) has been impactful on both ends with strong rebounding, finishes at the rim and timely defensive plays, and Randall Mongard (first year, Open Studies, Laval, Que.) adds energy and scoring punch in crucial stretches. If the Kodiaks can maintain their defensive intensity and capitalize on transition opportunities, they will put themselves in a strong position to lock in their postseason spot.

Indoor Track
IT | Grand Prix #2 | at Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre | hosted by RDP

The Kodiaks indoor track team will travel to Red Deer this weekend for the second of three Grand Prix meets this season, marking the halfway point of their indoor campaign. This weekend may serve as one of their last chances to see several northern teams in competition before championships. The meet presents an important opportunity to measure progress and continue sharpening performances as the postseason approaches.

The Kodiaks will look to build off a strong opening meet, where the men finished second overall and the women captured the team title. Ethan Grasmeyer (third year, Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science, Smithers, B.C.) set an early benchmark with a victory in the 1500 metre, while Owen Boucher (first year, Natural Resource Compliance, St. Paul, Alta.) and Jaxon Uhl (fourth year, Business Administration – Management, Lethbridge) delivered strong results in the sprint events. On the women’s side, Khloe Jankowiak (third year, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge) opened her season with a first-place finish in the 3000 metre and Katrina Michel (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Okotoks) and Hallee Pilling (third year, Exercise Science, Cardston) contributed valuable points in middle-distance and sprint races. With both relay squads also producing standout performances at the first Grand Prix, the Kodiaks will aim to continue refining their execution ahead of championship season.