Weekend Preview: Court sports close out regular season

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks court sports play their last regular season games of the 2025-26 Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) season against the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens this weekend.

Kodiaks volleyball is set to host Red Deer in back-to-back games. Friday night, the teams will celebrate their graduating senior student-athletes while also hosting Lethbridge Club Volleyball night. Saturday, the teams meet again for afternoon games at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Kodiaks basketball teams close out their regular season on the road in Red Deer. They play Friday night with games at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. followed by Saturday afternoon games at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Volleyball

WVB Kodiaks (5-12) vs RDP Queen (15-2)

Friday, Feb. 20 | 6 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

Saturday, Feb. 21 | 1 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

The Kodiaks women’s volleyball team will officially close out their season going up against the No. 2 ranked team in the South Division, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens. The Kodiaks are entering the weekend on a four-game winning streak and will be looking to carry that momentum.

The Kodiaks will need to be alert at the net and stay on top of Red Deer’s spread-out offence. Middle Sofia Janzen (third year, Agriculture Sciences, Carseland, Alta.) will be critical in slowing down the Queens as she currently leads the team in blocks. Kodiaks libero Madison Yates (first year, General Arts and Science –Psychology and Sociology, Swift Current, Sask.) has really stepped into her own in the back court during the second semester of play, averaging 1.58 digs per set. Beside her, a well-rounded player, Robyn Austin (second year, Business Administration, Lethbridge), is leading the team in digs, service aces and kills.

Robyn Rivard (first year, Automotive Systems certificate, Calgary) and Trinity Walton (second year, Criminal Justice – Policing, Warman, Sask.) will be honoured as the team’s graduating athlete on Seniors Night Friday.

MVB Kodiaks (12-5) vs RDP Kings (15-2)

Friday, Feb. 20 | 8 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

Saturday, Feb. 21 | 3 p.m. | Val Matteotti Gymnasium

The Kodiaks men’s volleyball team will finish their regular season with a national ranking showdown. The Kodiaks are nationally ranked at No. 15 and third overall in the South Division while the Kings are ranked second in the country as well as in the South Division.

The Kodiaks will need to rely on their middle duo of Karl Petker (third year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale) and Tristan Iwanczuk (first year, Business Administration, Lethbridge) to shut down the Kings’ outside hitter, who leads the conference in kills per set. Ben Dyck (third year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale) is also on a hot streak this semester, scoring in double digits in five of the last six matches. In the most recent match, he recorded a double-double with 19 points and 10 digs, earning ACAC Player of the Match honours.

Ben St. Pierre (fifth year, Open Studies, Red Deer) and Malcolm Fisher (fifth year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) will be honoured as the team’s graduating athlete on Seniors Night Friday. 

Basketball

WBB Kodiaks (10-9) vs RDP Queen (5-14)

Friday, Feb. 20 | 6 p.m. | at Red Deer Polytechnic

Saturday, Feb. 21 | 1 p.m. | at Red Deer Polytechnic

The Kodiaks women’s basketball team has a crucial weekend ahead. One win against Red Deer, or a loss by Medicine Hat, will secure their spot in this year’s championship.

The Kodiaks’ leading scorers, Summer Long (first year, General Arts and Science, Raymond) and Chase Wells-Creighton (second year, Exercise Science, Standoff, Alta.), will need to set the offensive tone for their group this weekend. Gaby Power (fourth year, Early Childhood Education, Calgary) will also play a key role, bringing valuable championship experience as the only player on the roster with that background. In her final season, she’ll be motivated to make one more run at a title.

MBB Kodiaks (13-6) vs RDP Kings (2-17)

Friday, Feb. 20 | 8 p.m. | at Red Deer Polytechnic

Saturday, Feb. 21 | 3 p.m. | at Red Deer Polytechnic

The Kodiaks men’s basketball team currently holds the tiebreaker over the Briercrest Clippers and will look to secure the second seed heading into the championship. A strong weekend against Red Deer will be crucial to maintaining that position.

The Kodiaks’ veteran core of Rhett Lewis (third year, General Arts and Science, Cardston) and Jackson Wright (third year, Business Administration, Claresholm) will need to keep the team focused and composed this weekend with the larger goal of a championship looming. With a well-balanced offense – six players have scored more than 130 points this season – maintaining strong team chemistry will be key. First-year standout Marley Kenion (Child and Youth Care, Coventry, England) will also be a player to watch after recording back-to-back double-doubles in the last series and earning ACAC Player of the Game honours.