Weekend Recap: Championship bronze, home track dominance and road futsal action

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks capped off a busy weekend of competition highlighted by the men's volleyball team earning Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Championship bronze.

On Saturday, the indoor track teams delivered dominant performances, with both the men's and women's squads capturing top spots in front of a hometown crowd. Meanwhile, the futsal teams were on the road facing the Ambrose University Lions, splitting their results with the women securing a decisive victory.

Men's Volleyball Championships

Quarterfinals Feb. 26 MVB | Kodiaks 3 vs NAIT Ooks 2 (16-25, 22-25, 25-22, 28-26, 15-8)

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks showed resilience and firepower Thursday night at the ACAC Championships, rallying from two sets down to complete a reverse sweep and defeat the NAIT Ooks in quarterfinal action.

NAIT came out strong, hitting .480 in the opening set and .300 in the second to take a 2-0 lead. The Kodiaks battled to stay within reach early, with Ben Dyck (third year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale) and Cameron Marshall (third year, Criminal Justice – Policing, Adelaide, South Australia) finding points off the hands of setter Ben St. Pierre (fifth year, Open Studies, Red Deer), who finished the night with 41 assists. Despite improved offensive rhythm in the second set, Lethbridge came up just short, 25-22.

The momentum shifted in the third. The Kodiaks raised their hitting percentage to .300 in the frame, led by Dyck'sefficient attack and timely swings from Marshall. Tristan Iwanczuk (first year, Business Administration, Lethbridge) made his presence felt at the net, and the team's defensive pressure began to disrupt NAIT's offence. Lethbridge took the set 25-22 to extend the match. 

Set four delivered the drama. Marshall and Dyck combined for crucial late points as the team's traded rallies down the stretch. After Iwanczuk gave the Kodiaks a 27-26 edge, Corny Bergen (first year, Business Administration, Picture Butte) stepped to the service line and fired an ace to seal the 28-26 win, sending the match to a decisive fifth set.

With confidence on their side, the Kodiaks took control early in the final set. Iwanczuk helped set the tone defensively, while Bergen delivered more aces to create separation. NAIT was limited to a -.167 hitting percentage in the fifth as Lethbridge closed out the match 15-8.

Dyck led all Kodiaks with 25 kills on .463 hitting for 27 points, while Marshall added 16 kills at a .364 efficiency. Bergen finished with four service aces, and the Kodiaks totaled seven team blocks in the victory.

ACAC Player of the Match

LPK: #9 Ben Dyck

Semifinals Feb. 27 MVB | Kodiaks 0 vs RDP Kings 3 (13-25, 18-25, 22-25)

Less than 24 hours after a five-set quarterfinal battle, the Kodiaks returned to the court to face the host school and reigning ACAC and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association champions, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings, in semifinal action Friday night. Coming off an emotional 3-2 comeback win the night before, Lethbridge met a well-rested Red Deer squad that had advanced in three sets, with the Kings ultimately taking the semifinal in straight sets.

The Kings came out sharp, hitting .500 in the opening frame while limiting the Kodiaks' offensive rhythm. Dyck and Marshall found early points off St. Pierre's distribution, but Red Deer maintained control to take the first set.

The Kodiaks showed more balance in the second. Marshall led the way offensively, finishing the match with 10 kills and an ace, while Dyck added 10 kills of his own. Bergen and Karl Petker (third year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale)contributed key swings to keep Lethbridge within striking distance, but Red Deer capitalized on extended runs to claim a 2-0 match lead.

In the third set, the Kodiaks battled to the final points. Lethbridge tightened up defensively, with Petker and Iwanczukcontributing at the net, and Bergen adding seven kills on the night. The teams were locked in late before Red Deer pulled away to secure the 25-22 set and the match.

St. Pierre recorded 22 assists in the contest, guiding a Kodiaks offence that finished with 30 kills. Defensively, Malcolm Fisher (fifth year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) led with seven digs as Lethbridge continued to compete point-for-point despite the quick turnaround.

ACAC Player of the Match

LPK: #1 Ben St. Pierre

Bronze medal Feb. 28 MVB | Kodiaks 3 vs NWP Wolves 2 (25-21, 20-25, 25-15, 23-25, 16-14)

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks finished their season with a statement win, battling past the Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves in five sets to capture bronze Saturday afternoon.

After the quick turnaround from Friday night, the Kodiaks came out with energy in the opening set, using strong pressure from the service line and solid work at the net to set the tone early. Bergen jump-started the match with an early service ace, and Iwanczuk made an immediate impact defensively with his blocking. Lethbridge stayed steady through the middle of the set and pulled away late to take it 25-21.

Northwestern responded in the second, evening the match with a 25-20 set win. Lethbridge pushed back in the third with one of its cleanest stretches of volleyball of the match, hitting .357 in the frame and controlling the scoreboard from the start. Dyck continued to be the primary offensive option, while Bergen added timely points and kept Northwestern under pressure. The Kodiaks cruised to a 25-15 win to regain the lead.

Set four swung back the other way in a tight battle. The Kodiaks hit .400 in the set and were right there late, but Northwestern found the final points to edge it 25-23 and force a fifth.

The deciding set featured strong play on both sides, with neither team able to pull away in a tight back-and-forth battle. The Kodiaks went on a short run to take their largest lead of the set at 12–7, but the Wolves responded with a push of their own. Lethbridge called a timeout trailing 12–11, and the Wolves came out of the break to earn another point and tie the set at 12–12. The Kodiaks finally sided out to regain the lead. From there, the teams traded points down the stretch. A net violation on the Wolves put the Kodiaks ahead 15–14. Bergen stepped back to serve and put the ball in play as Lethbridge extended the rally with strong defensive coverage applied steady offensive pressure. The Wolves attempted a tip that failed to clear the net, sealing a 16–14 victory and the bronze medal for the Kodiaks.

ACAC Player of the Match

LPK: #17 Tristan Iwanczuk

Following the Bronze Medal match Dyck was recognized for his outstanding weekend performance, earning Tournament All-Star honours. The right side was a consistent offensive force for the Kodiaks, highlighted by a 25-kill effort in the quarterfinal comeback and a 24-kill performance in his final match, playing a key role in Lethbridge's podium finish.

This marks the first time in program history that the Kodiaks men's volleyball team has captured an ACAC Championship bronze medal. While the program has previously celebrated both silver and gold medal finishes, this podium result adds another milestone to the Kodiaks' legacy and highlights the continued strength and consistency of men's volleyball at Lethbridge Polytechnic. 

Indoor Track

Feb. 28 IT | Grand Prix #3 hosted by Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks

The Kodiaks indoor track team delivered an impressive performance on home soil Saturday, hosting the ACAC Running Room Grand Prix #3 at the 1st Choice Savings Centre at the University of Lethbridge. Welcoming athletes from eight ACAC programs, Lethbridge rose to the occasion in front of a home crowd, capturing first place overall while also topping both the men's and women's team standings. The meet showcased the program's depth across sprints, middle distance and relay events as the Kodiaks prepare for the ACAC Championships next week.

On the men's side, the Kodiaks were led by strong sprint performances, highlighted by Owen Boucher's (first year, Natural Resource Compliance, St. Paul, Alta.) first-place finish in the 60 metre. Wayne Bauluck (second year, Criminal Justice - Policing, Moose Jaw, Sask.) added a second-place finish in the 300 metre, while the middle-distance group continued its steady progression. Ethan Grasmeyer (third year, Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science, Smithers, B.C.) and Shaun Geusebroek (second year, Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship, Lethbridge) both earned second and third finishes in the 1500 metre, reinforcing the Kodiaks' strength in distance events. The men's 4x200 metre relay team powered to a first-place finish, and the 4x400 metre squad added more points to their overall results with a second-place finish to round out a balanced team effort.

The Kodiaks women matched that energy throughout the day. Hallee Pilling (third year, Exercise Science, Cardston) sprinted to a third-place finish in the 60 metre and followed it up with a second-place result in the 300 metre. In the 1500 metre, Livia Swift (first year, Interior Design Technology, Lethbridge) secured a strong runner-up performance as Lethbridge showcased its middle-distance depth. The relay teams once again set the standard, with the 4x200 metre and 4x400 metre squads both capturing first place to seal crucial team points.

Futsal

Feb. 28 WFUT | Kodiaks 11 vs AMB Lions 1 

The Kodiaks women's futsal team delivered a statement performance on the road against the Ambrose University Lions as they continue to push for a spot at this year's championships.

The Kodiaks wasted no time asserting control, striking five times in the opening half to take a commanding 5-0 lead into the break. Megan Morrison (fifth year, Bachelor of Nursing, Medicine Hat) opened the scoring at 9:15 off an assist from goalkeeper Kiara Jankowiak (third year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge), setting the tone early. Jordan Wright (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Calgary) doubled the advantage at 16:45, finishing a setup from Khloe Jankowiak (third year, Business Administration – Accounting, Lethbridge), before Abigail Leusink (third year, Open Studies, Picture Butte) added a third just minutes later from Sophie DeMarsh (second year, Criminal Justice - Corrections, Calgary). Morrison netted her second of the match at 21:02, again assisted by DeMarsh, and Wrightcapped the first-half surge with her second goal at 23:07 off a feed from Hannah Bradford (second year, General Arts and Science, Abbotsford, B.C.).

Lethbridge continued to press in the second half. H. Bradford found the scoresheet at 34:08, finishing a pass from Morrison, and DeMarsh added a goal of her own at 44:04 to extend the lead to 7-0. Alexis Bradford (fourth year, Open Studies, Abbotsford, B.C.) followed with an unassisted marker, while Leusink scored her second of the game off an H. Bradford assist. After Ambrose broke through late to make it 9-1, the Kodiaks responded immediately. Ana Waurynchuk (fifth year, Interior Design Technology, Cranbrook, B.C.) restored the nine-goal cushion off a DeMarshassist, and Morrison completed her hat trick seconds later to seal the 11-1 final.

In goal, Jankowiak made eight saves in the first half, while Samantha Demchuk (fifth year, Bachelor of Nursing, Whitehorse, Yukon) handled the second half, combining for 13 total saves.

ACAC Player of the Match

LPK: #5 Abigail Leusink

Feb. 28 MFUT | Kodiaks 1 vs AMB Lions 7

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks men's futsal team had a tough match on the road against the Ambrose University Lions Saturday with a 7-1 loss.

The Kodiaks struck first in the opening half, taking an early 1-0 lead at 10:11. Jordan Morello (fourth year, Renewable Resource Management, Nelson, B.C.) found the back of the net off an assist from Robert McKinstry (second year, Business Administration – Management, Lethbridge), giving Lethbridge a strong start. The Lions responded later in the half to even the match 1-1 heading into the break.

Despite the tight first half, Ambrose gained momentum in the second. The Lions capitalized on their offensive pressure, scoring six times over the final 20 minutes to pull away. Lethbridge continued to battle, generating 14 total shot attempts, but were unable to find a second breakthrough.

Goalkeeper Adam Krisko (second year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) was busy between the posts, as he saved 36 shots on goal throughout the match.

ACAC Player of the Match

LPK: #1 Adam Krisko