Weekend Recap: Kodiaks stack wins in busy weekend vs Broncos

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks closed out the weekend with wins across the board as the men’s and women’s volleyball and basketball teams faced the Olds College Broncos.

The Kodiaks volleyball teams came away with more than just victories. The women’s team earned its first home-court win of the season and followed it up with another victory the next night. The men’s volleyball team clinched a spot at this year’s Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Championships with a night-one win, then capped the weekend with a five-set thriller.

The basketball teams faced tough road matchups but battled through to earn four gritty wins between the two squads.

Volleyball

Feb. 6 WVB | Kodiaks 3 vs OC Broncos 1 (23-25, 25-17, 25-17, 25-13)

Lethbridge delivered a strong response on home court Friday night, bouncing back after a narrow opening-set loss to earn a 3–1 victory over the Olds College Broncos. The Kodiaks dropped the first set 25–23 in a tightly contested start, but quickly settled into their rhythm in the second, using steady ball control and improved consistency to pull away for a 25–17 win. That momentum carried into the third set, where the Kodiaks continued to apply pressure from the service line and limit scoring runs, again winning 25–17. With confidence high in the fourth, the Kodiaks controlled the pace from start to finish, building an early lead and closing out the match decisively with a 25–13 win to secure their first victory in front of the home crowd this season.

The Kodiaks spread the offence effectively, led by middles Sofia Janzen (third year, Agriculture Sciences, Carseland, Alta.) and Lauren Barker (fourth year, Architectural Animation Technology, Calgary) with six kills apiece. Robyn Austin (second year, Business Administration, Lethbridge), Jorja Hamilton (first year, General Arts and Science - Health Sciences, Meadow Lake, Sask.) and Reese Hanusich (fourth year, General Arts and Science, Red Deer) each contributed five. Hanusich directed the attack with 22 assists, helping Lethbridge keep the offence balanced throughout the match. The Kodiaks were also strong from the service line, finishing with nine aces. Austin led the way with five, Robyn Rivard (first year, Automotive Systems certificate, Calgary) added two and Janzen and Kourtney Serfas (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Turin, Alta.) each chipped in one. Defensively, the Kodiaks collected 22 digs, highlighted by Austin’s 10 and Hamilton’s six, while Rivard made her presence felt at the net with three solo blocks as Lethbridge pulled away in the final set.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #3 Robyn Austin

Feb. 7 WVB | Kodiaks 3 vs OC Broncos 1 (25-16, 19-25, 25-17, 26-24)

The Kodiaks closed out the weekend on a high note Saturday afternoon, earning a 3–1 victory over the Olds College Broncos for back-to-back wins – securing a weekend sweep. Lethbridge came out sharp in the opening set, controlling the pace and limiting errors on their way to a 25–16 win. Olds responded in the second, evening the match with a 25–19 result, but Lethbridge regrouped quickly and reasserted control in the third set, taking it 25–17. The fourth set was the most competitive of the match, with both teams trading points late, but the Kodiaks stayed composed in the closing moments and edged out a 26–24 win to seal the victory.

Austin led the Kodiaks offensively with a match-high 14 kills while also recording 10 digs for a double-double. Barker,Rivard and Emma Blumenschein (fourth year, Bachelor of Nursing, Spruce Grove, Alta.) each added six kills, providing consistent support across the front row, while Serfas chipped in four on an efficient night. Hanusich paced the offence with 10 assists, and the Kodiaks were strong defensively throughout the match, finishing with 46 digs highlighted by Madison Yates’ (first year, General Arts and Science - Psychology and Sociology, Swift Current, Sask.) team-high and career-high 14. The Kodiaks topped off another solid home performance with seven total blocks spread across their offence. 

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #10 Robyn Rivard

Feb. 6 MVB | Kodiaks 3 vs OC Broncos 1 (22-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-13)

Lethbridge opened the weekend with a strong response on home court Friday night, defeating the Olds College Broncos 3–1 in the first of the two-match series. The Kodiaks dropped a tight opening set 25–22 but quickly regrouped and took control of the match from there. Lethbridge was sharp and efficient in the second set, pulling away early and cruising to a 25–16 win to even things up. That momentum carried into the third, where the Kodiaks continued to dictate play and limit errors, earning a 25–20 victory. With confidence high in the fourth, Lethbridge delivered its most dominant set of the night, closing out the match with a convincing 25–13 performance to secure the win. 

Cameron Marshall (third year, Criminal Justice – Policing, Adelaide, South Australia) led the Kodiaks’ attack with a match-high 16 kills on an efficient night at the net, while Ben Dyck (third year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale) added 13 kills and was a major factor from the service line with four aces. Tristan Iwanczuk (first year, Business Administration, Lethbridge) was highly effective offensively, recording seven kills on just nine attempts and Ben St. Pierre (fifth year, Open Studies, Red Deer) anchored the offence with 21 assists while also contributing three service aces and seven digs. Defensively, Malcolm Fisher (fifth year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) paced the back row with 11 digs and Karl Petker (third year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale) and Iwanczuk each chipped in two solo blocks as Lethbridge posted an impressive .447 team hitting percentage to open the weekend on a high note.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #1 Ben St. Pierre

Feb. 7 MVB | Kodiaks 3 vs OC Broncos 2 (25-21, 25-18, 26-28, 23-25, 17-15)

The Kodiaks men’s volleyball team wrapped up the weekend with a thrilling five-set victory Saturday afternoon, edging the Olds College Broncos 3–2 in the second match of the series. Lethbridge set the tone early by taking the first two sets 25–21 and 25–18, showing strong composure and control on both sides of the ball. Olds responded to force a fifth set by narrowly taking the third and fourth, but the Kodiaks rose to the moment in the decider. In a tightly contested fifth set, Lethbridge stayed aggressive and executed when it mattered most, closing out the match 17–15 to secure the win and complete the weekend sweep on home court.

Marshall led the Kodiaks with a dominant performance at the net, recording a match-high 20 kills while adding two service aces. Shaye Wall (fourth year, Bachelor of Ecosystem Management, Lac Pelletier, Sask.) provided strong support with 13 kills on an efficient night and Petker was outstanding in the middle with 11 kills on just 15 attempts while also contributing a block. Setter St. Pierre directed the offence with 32 assists and added two aces, while the Kodiaks were active defensively with Fisher leading the back row with 13 digs. At the net, Iwanczuk was a key presence with four solo blocks as Lethbridge Polytechnic finished the match with a strong .438 team hitting percentage.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #16 Karl Petker

Basketball

Feb. 6 WBB | Kodiaks 63 vs OC Broncos 42

The Kodiaks settled in after a slow start and used defence and timely shooting to grab the early edge. Summer Long(first year, General Arts and Science, Raymond) opened the scoring at the line, and Nyomi Heins (second year, Therapeutic Recreation, Diamond City, Alta.) sparked the offence with a triple before later adding another three and two free throws as the Kodiaks found their rhythm. Gaby Power (fourth year, Early Childhood Education, Calgary) knocked down a key three and jumped a passing lane for a late steal, while Chase Wells-Creighton (second year, Exercise Science, Standoff) made her presence felt with a block, strong rebounds and points at the stripe in the closing seconds to help Lethbridge finish the quarter up 18–13. The Kodiaks’ pressure ramped up in the second as Paighton Kumson(third year, Correctional Studies, Edmonton) was everywhere, picking up steals and converting them into points. Powercreated offence with steals and a dish to Heins for a finish at the rim and Gabby Graves (second year, Bachelor of Nursing, Raymond) contributed inside with a bucket and a free throw. Zoe Michelson (first year, General Arts and Science, Stirling, Alta.) capped the half with a pair of late free throws, sending the Kodiaks into the break ahead 38–31.

Lethbridge came out of halftime composed and extended the lead with steady execution on both ends. Wells-Creighton attacked early with a layup and added a free throw, while the Kodiaks forced turnovers that led to transition chances. Yar Biar (first year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) finished one of them and later earned trips to the line. Z. Michelson added another strong finish in the paint, and the Kodiaks continued to win possessions with rebounds and disciplined defence, holding the advantage at 53–37 after three. The Kodiaks put the game away with a strong start to the final frame and maintained control the rest of the way. Long set the tone with an offensive rebound and quick putback, then added two free throws and another layup as Lethbridge’s lead grew. Kumson continued her productive night with a driving finish and another bucket later in the quarter, and the Kodiaks’ defence stayed active with steals from Gianna Gammie (second year, General Arts and Science, Nanton) and Ava Michelson (first year, General Arts and Science, Stirling to protect the cushion down the stretch.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #6 Paighton Kumson 

Feb. 7 WBB | Kodiaks 59 vs OC Broncos 55

The Kodiaks set the tone early with defence and second-chance opportunities, getting on the board when Heins cleaned up an offensive rebound for the game’s first basket. Power added a strong drive to the rim and later knocked down a three to keep Lethbridge within striking distance during a back-and-forth opening stretch. Z. Michelson finished through contact on a quick sequence created by Power and Long attacked the paint late as the Kodiaks worked into a 16–13 lead after one. The Kodiaks’ pressure and perimeter shooting broke the game open in the second. Heins buried a three to regain the lead, and the Kodiaks kept pouring it on with a pair of triples from Long and Michelson as the ball movement and pace picked up. The defence was just as sharp as Power and Heins jumped passing lanes for steals that turned into offence. By the time the half horn sounded, Lethbridge had built a commanding 44–32 advantage.

The Kodiaks absorbed an early push coming out of the break and answered with timely stops and finishes around the basket. Long scored in transition and continued to clean the glass, while Wells-Creighton helped stabilize things with a strong finish and steady work inside. Heins created more disruption defensively with a steal, and the Kodiaks kept Olds from finding a sustained rhythm despite some empty trips at both ends. Lethbridge maintained control heading to the fourth, up 44–32. The final quarter turned into a grind, but the Kodiaks delivered in the biggest moments to close out the win. Long hit a crucial bucket and then converted a three-point play to push the lead, while Wells-Creightonsteadied things at the free-throw line as Olds tried to claw back. In the closing minutes, Long came up with a massive go-ahead three with 33 seconds left, then the Kodiaks defended the final possession and sealed it at the line as Powerhit one of two in the final seconds to lock in a 59–55 road victory.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #9 Summer Long 

Feb. 6 MBB | Kodiaks 93 vs OC Broncos 87

Lethbridge came out flying behind Nathaniel Hosannah’s (second year, Business Administration, Tacoma, Wash.) work on both ends as he grabbed early rebounds and finished the first basket at the rim to set the tone. Jackson Wright(third year, Business Administration, Claresholm) quickly joined in with a pair of strong takes to the hoop, including an and-one sequence that pushed the Kodiaks ahead 9–0 before Olds settled in. As Olds found some range from outside, the Kodiaks kept answering with pace and composure as Marley Kenion (first year, Child and Youth Care, Coventry, England) cashed in at the free-throw line, Zachary English (first year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) knocked down a three, then finished a layup to help Lethbridge Polytechnic carry a 17–12 lead after one. The Kodiaks’ offence hit another gear in the second, fueled by rebounds, second chances, and a hot shooting stretch from Levi Balderson (second year, General Arts and Science, Welling, Alta.). Wright kept pressure on the rim and set up teammates, while the Kodiaks got timely stops and rebounds to prevent Olds from gaining momentum. Even as Olds chipped away at the margin, Lethbridge stayed steady at the line and in transition to take a 36–29 advantage into halftime.

The Broncos came back aggressive after the break and turned the game into a shootout, stringing together threes and layups to flip the score. Lethbridge answered through Randall Mongard (first year, Open Studies, Laval, Que.) and Wright and got a key finish from English after battling for an offensive board, but Olds’ perimeter shots kept coming and the lead changed hands. A technical on Olds gave the Kodiaks a chance at the stripe, but the Broncos continued to hit timely threes late in the quarter to build separation. Heading to the fourth, Lethbridge trailed 61–54. The Kodiaks dug in and battled all the way back. Balderson hit a huge three to get things rolling and Hosannah repeatedly made plays by finishing at the rim, forcing steals and coming up with a massive block late as the game tightened. Kodiaks’ defence created extra possessions and Wright and Mongard helped grind the score back until Lethbridge grabbed the lead in the final moments. Olds hit a late three to force overtime at 78–78.

In extra time, Lethbridge delivered the defining stretch, turning defence into offence and getting clutch baskets when it mattered most. Wright opened OT with a go-ahead layup, then Balderson drilled a massive three to answer right back after Olds momentarily edged ahead. The Kodiaks strung together steals (Balderson, Mongard, Wright) that led directly to points, with Mongard finishing twice in the lane off setups from Balderson as the lead grew. Late, Wrightand Balderson iced it at the free-throw line and Hosannah threw down a key dunk in the final minute to seal a hard-earned 93–87 overtime win.

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #23 Randall Mongard

Feb. 7 MBB | Kodiaks 96 vs OC Broncos 75

Both teams traded punches early as Wright opened the scoring with a layup, but Olds answered with strong finishes inside. Balderson got the Kodiaks rolling offensively with an early three and continued to attack, while Hosannahmade his presence felt on both ends, highlighted by a big block that stopped an Olds chance at the rim. The Broncos briefly grabbed momentum with a mini run, but the Kodiaks responded with a late surge as Hosannah scored, then picked a steal that turned into points and a free throw. Balderson capped the quarter with another triple and the Kodiaks carried a 27–23 lead after one. Lethbridge leaned on depth and steadiness in the second, getting production from the bench and building the lead at the stripe. Kenion finished plays in the paint and knocked down free throws, while James West (second year, Plumber Apprenticeship, Raymond) added points at the line to keep the scoreboard moving. Olds tried to stay close through free throws and timely buckets, but the Kodiaks repeatedly answered. Wrightattacked the rim, Mongard added points at the line and Hosannah repeatedly finished in the paint. Despite a late Olds push, Lethbridge maintained control and went into halftime up 51–48.

The Kodiaks took over after the break with one of their sharpest stretches of the game by defending, forcing turnovers and converting quickly at the other end. Balderson and Wright scored early, then the floodgates opened as Mongarddrilled a three, and a rapid-fire sequence of steals (Wright, Balderson, Mongard) turned into immediate points, including a Mongard layup that pushed the lead to double digits and forced an Olds timeout. Olds had moments inside, but the Kodiaks kept answering with free throws and finishes. Kenion and Rhett Lewis (third year, General Arts and Science, Cardston) both scored, and the Kodiaks’ defence stayed disruptive. By the end of the quarter, Lethbridge had built real separation, taking a 70–59 advantage into the fourth. The Kodiaks closed like a veteran group, getting stops, cleaning the glass and punishing Olds mistakes with runouts and extra possessions. Wright returned and immediately made an impact at the rim, then Balderson buried a huge three to keep Olds from gaining traction. A steal-and-score burst stretched the margin further and even as the game got chippy late with offsetting technicals, the Kodiaks stayed composed and continued scoring through the final minutes for a 96-75 victory. 

ACAC Player of the Game:

LPK: #7 Levi Balderson