Lethbridge College Kodiaks wins ACAC honours

March 1, 2024 - The Alberta College Athletic Conference (ACAC) announced their awards for volleyball and basketball athletes and teams, and seven Lethbridge College Kodiaks were among those honoured.

The ACAC awards were chosen by conference coaches for the 2023-24 All-Conference Teams. Selections were made by ACAC coaches through a ranking system, considering factors such as statistical performance, impact on team success, skill level and consistency throughout the season.

The Kodiaks women’s basketball team took home several major honours.

Hannah Helton (fifth year, Exercise Science, Okotoks) was selected to the ACAC All-Conference South first team, she was second in the conference with 386 points scored throughout the season, averaging 18.4 points per game. She led her team in minutes played, averaging 28.4 minutes.

Courtney Deemter (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Calgary) was named to the ACAC All-Conference South second team. Her ability to read her opponents allowed her to lead the team in steals, averaging 11.3 per game. She was also second in points for the Kodiaks, averaging 11.3 points per game.

And women’s basketball head coach Ken McMurray was named the ACAC South Division Coach of the Year. He finished this last season guiding the team to a regular season record of 18-3, finishing first in the south division.

“To be honoured for the second time in his first three years of leading the Kodiaks women’s basketball program says a lot about the culture and commitment that Ken is building,” says Caughlin. “It was an end to the season that no one wanted to see, but the push in the second half to earn the number one spot says a lot to the job that Ken and his coaching staff did in working their way through a very tough second half schedule. I’m proud of what the Kodiaks accomplished this year and for Ken earning this recognition for a second time.”

On the men’s volleyball team, two athletes received awards. Kohlbe Anderson (first year, Business Administration, Claymont, Delaware, U.S.) was honoured as the ACAC Men’s Volleyball South Division Rookie of the Year. Throughout the season he had a hitting percentage of .397 with 103 kills averaging 1.54 kills per set. He even managed to put up 30 digs and 29 blocks for the Kodiaks.

“Kodiaks men’s volleyball is thrilled Kohlbe has been recognized,” says head coach Greg Gibos. “Being a first-year middle in the ACAC is incredibly difficult, and he finished 17th in the league in total blocks. He’s been an incredible addition to our program.” 

“What an amazing achievement for Kohlbe to earn this honour,” says Todd Caughlin, Kodiaks Athletics Director. “The learning curve for Kohlbe coming in as a rookie was steep, and he stepped up to the challenge!”

Nolan Moes (fourth year, General Arts and Science, Barrhead, Alta.) was selected for an All-Conference award as an outside hitter. He finished the season with 319 overall kills, averaging 4.14 kills per set and a hitting percentage of .413. with 20 services aces. On the defensive side he had 32 blocks, 86 digs averaging 1.12 digs per set.

Two athletes on the men’s basketball team received awards as well.

Filip Karanovic (third year, General Arts and Science, Herceg Novic, Montenegro) was picked to be on the All-Conference South first team. He led the Kodiaks in points scored, with 380 averaging 20 points per game.

Mason Hoffman (second year, General Arts and Science, Magrath) was named to the All- Conference South second team. Even with an injury in the second half of the season, he was able to put up 329 points and averaged 19.4 points per game.