Left Side Kinleigh Haysom Signs with Kodiaks

Medicine Hat’s Kinleigh Haysom has committed to the Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks women’s volleyball team for the 2026-27 season.

Haysom will join the Kodiaks this fall after graduating from Crescent Heights High School. She has enrolled in the General Arts and Science program at Lethbridge Polytechnic.

A left side, Haysom has spent her club season competing with the South East Alberta Volleyball Club (SEAVC) Gold U18. She has established herself as a strong, confident presence on the court, earning MVP honours in her Grade 12 season while also serving as team captain. In addition to her athletic achievements, Haysom is an honours student.

“Kinleigh caught everyone’s eye last season as a 17U athlete after we watched her practice last spring,” says head coach Anna Schwark. “She was physically very strong and moved on the court with a lot of confidence.”

Haysom talked to the Kodiaks coaching staff during the Lethbridge Polytechnic high school tournament, where her team captured gold. After that they stayed in contact with Schwark and assistant coach Steve Ivan, she attended some team practices in the fall, further solidifying the connection.

Schwark says Haysom continued to impress when the staff watched her again this past season.

“She was a strong player with a smart volleyball IQ, and the existing team felt she was very easy to play with due to her communication skills,” says Schwark. “She understands court awareness and makes good decisions offensively. We really appreciate her ability to maintain aggressiveness regardless of what a previous contact looks like, which is something we are always working on strengthening in our team play.”

Haysom says the team environment played a major role in her decision to become a Kodiak.

“Just the team dynamic and how welcoming everyone was,” she says. “I watched the home opener, and I already knew I wanted to come here, but seeing how much fun everyone had really solidified that decision.”

As she prepares to begin her collegiate career, Haysom says she is most looking forward to being part of the team.

“I’m just excited to be a part of the team and have fun,” she says.

Schwark believes Haysom will make an immediate impact both on and off the court.

“Kinleigh is a strong recruit for us, and we are excited she wants to be a Kodiak,” says Schwark. “I think she will positively add to our team’s culture. The team enjoys being around her. On the court, she is super aggressive and competitive, and that is so important for our team at this point of our development.”

The coaching staff is focused on continuing to develop Haysom’s offensive game as she transitions to the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference level.

“Our goal is to help her continue adding to her offensive toolbelt and make her a threat in all six rotations,” says Schwark. “We know Kinleigh will push her teammates to be better from the start of the season.”

Haysom also credits her coaches, including Marshall Armstrong and her SEAVC coaching staff, for helping her reach the next level.