Kodiaks men’s volleyball team adds Calgary’s Ben Pannett to roster

The Kodiaks men’s volleyball team is excited to welcome Ben Pannett to the 2025-26 roster. Pannett has been training with the Kodiaks since September and brings an excellent volleyball resume to the program. 

Pannett is a 2023 graduate of Crescent Heights High School in Calgary and is a former member of the Volleyball Alberta Provincial Team training cohort. He also played for the Southern Alberta Volleyball Club and Canuck Volleyball Club during his time competing in club provincial championships. After high school, Pannett signed a U Sports letter of intent and competed in high jump for the University of Calgary Dinos. 

“Ben’s story is a fun one,” says Kodiaks men’s volleyball head coach Greg Gibos. “I originally recruited Ben out of high school hoping he would want to be a Kodiak. He chose a different path and competed in high jump while studying kinesiology at the University of Calgary. The fire for volleyball and being part of team sport still stokes a love of the game for Ben, and he found his way back to the program this year. Obviously, his athletic ability is off the charts, and we are excited to have him training in our gym.” 

Pannett expressed his interest in joining a tight knit team and finding a way back into volleyball as his major motivation to return to the sport after a two-year hiatus.

“I loved competing in track and field, but I did miss being part of a full team sport like volleyball,” Pannett says. “I had come down for a visit in 2023 and one thing that really left an impression on me was how much both the community and the athletes cared about being Kodiaks. The reputation of the Kodiaks is that it is truly a family, and I had a strong desire to try to pursue this while studying at Lethbridge Polytechnic in conjunction with earning my bachelor's degree from the University of Calgary. 

Pannett was a U Sports Academic All-Canadian during his tenure with the Dinos and promises to make an impact within the Kodiaks culture. 

“I am just excited to be part of the team,” he says. “Everyone here has been so welcoming, and I cannot wait to experience a crowd at the Val [Matteotti Gymnasium] on a Friday night. I appreciate the opportunity to play the sport I love again and promise to give it my all while representing Lethbridge Polytechnic.” 

“I think Ben is a true Swiss army knife of a player for us,” says Gibos. “He has the ability to play on either pin as he has some great athletic ability. I am excited to see what he accomplishes both as a student and as an athlete as he’s a great young man.”  

The Kodiaks continue preseason play with matches on home court at 6 and 8 p.m. Friday, followed by matches at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Kodiaks open conference play at home against the Concordia Thunder at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18.