Dax Power: Breaking the Kills Record

Written by Kodiaks Sports Information Staff

Sitting with a record of 7-5 at the holiday break, the Kodiaks men's volleyball team had many first half highlights.

A 3-0 sweep of division leading SAIT. A thrilling five set win over Red Deer. The rise of Carter Hansen, who leads the conference in kills.

The biggest highlight of all, however, was a record-breaking moment from the team's ultimate heart and soul player.

Dax Whitehead, the Kodiaks all-conference left side hitter, ended 2017 in style by setting the program record for most kills.

The left side hitter set the mark with his 796^th career kill during the Kodiaks semester ending 3-2 loss at Briercrest on Nov. 18.

In doing so, Whitehead passed Jeffrey Marthaller, who last set the record in 2011.

Whitehead is in his fourth season with the Kodiaks, and has emerged as the team's leader and most lethal offensive weapon.

He credits his record breaking achievement to improvement in strategic thinking, something he worked on hard in the offseason.

"I've been a little bit smarter at making shots," says Whitehead. "Whether it's off the block or even just a shot in the court."

For example, if he has no clear shot available he'll now throw up a strategic shot rather than swing wildly looking for a difficult kill.

"I don't swing stupid like I did last year," he says.

Setting the record close to home

Hailing from Moose Jaw, SK, Whitehead was able to set the record less than 25 km from where he grew up.

Greg Gibos, head coach of the men's volleyball team, says that although he wishes Whitehead had broken the record on the Kodiaks' home court, he thought it probably meant a lot to win it closer to his hometown.

Gibos said he knew what kind of athlete Whitehead was from the first moment he met him. 

Whitehead had a reconstructive jaw surgery the summer before beginning his third season with the Kodiaks. While many players in that perdicament may enter the season unconditioned and unfit, he came in "ripped and ready to go," according to Gibos.

"He wouldn't let the smallest thing derail his season," Gibos recounted.

The coach continued, saying Whitehead's dedication to his sport speaks volumes to who he is as a person and he has really grown as an athlete and a team leader.

"For him – I think he's really taken on the role of 'team dad,'" described Gibos. "He has a bunch of these young guys who look up to him."

Emerging as a leader

Whitehead has taken to teaching the younger players the ropes of what it means to be a Kodiaks student-athlete. This includes teaching them how to work at practice and how to handle the amount of work and dedication that goes into every day.

Matthew Primrose, the team's libero, also says that Whitehead takes a position of leadership within the team.

"The first time I ever met Dax, I thought he was 26 years old; I thought he was as scary as can be," Primrose laughed. "Then I found out that he's only one year older than me. I think that kind of shows the kind of leader he is."

He went on.

"He's just an intense leader, but also a very good one."

Despite his leadership role, Whitehead has also proved that he values teamwork.

Primrose says that Whitehead is the team's safety valve, and that whenever they are in trouble, they can count on him to score and settle the team.

"He's a really good teammate too," says Primrose. "I think he always helps me with my mentality."

The team dynamic really speaks to Whitehead, who says they are having a lot more fun this year than in years past.

"We're more team oriented this year," says Whitehead. "If we lose, we look at what we can fix and hop in and win the next game."

According to Gibos, Whitehead is right on track to make his usual 270 kills per season.

He also commented that if Whitehead returns for a fifth season, the kills leader is on his way to breaking the all-time ACAC record.

Of course, there will be plenty of time to worry about that later. For now, Whitehead and the Kodiaks have their sights set on clinching an ACAC playoff berth. It will be a difficult task, with five highly capable teams battling for four spots in the south division.

The Kodiaks will resume conference play against the Ambrose Lions this Friday. First serve at the Val Matteotti Gymnasium is set for 6 p.m. for the women's game, with the men to follow.

The team will host an official celebratory ceremony for Whitehead prior to their match.