Kodiaks women’s volleyball signs first 2026-27 recruit

Calgary’s own Frances Poetker has become the first recruit to commit to the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks women’s volleyball team for the 2026-27 season. 

Poetker will join the Kodiaks this fall after she graduates from West Island College (WIC). She has enrolled in the Digital Communications and Media program, which works closely with the polytechnic’s Athletics department. The program broadcasts select games throughout the year and provides support for championships hosted on campus. 

During her most recent high school season, Poetker played setter for the WIC Wolves senior girls team, which finished second overall at the 3A Zones. She is currently completing her final year of club volleyball with the U18 ACE Elite Performance team.

Poetker says she started looking into Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference schools after watching different league games. She says she felt Lethbridge Polytechnic was the right fit for her both academically and athletically.

“Frances was very eager from the get-go about the opportunity to train with us and meet the team,” says Kodiaks head coach Anna Schwark. 

Schwark says a key focus of the team’s recruiting strategy is finding athletes who are passionate about volleyball and about being a Kodiak, making Poetker’s enthusiasm a major factor in her recruitment. 

“She is fast and strong,” says Schwark. “Both of these skills allow her to maintain the pace and placement we want on offense. She is someone we hope stays a Kodiak for a long time, again because of her excitement to be part of our team, but also because she works hard and could be someone who develops into an effective leader.”