Kodiaks men's volleyball team signs home-grown talent

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks are excited to welcome libero/outside Alex Doerksen for the 2024-25 season. 

Doerksen was a member of the graduating class at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute in 2023 before enrolling in Georgian College in Barrie, Ont. Doerksen split time as the starting libero for the Grizzlies before an injury affected his training for much of the second half of last season. Alex was on the Dean’s List and an Ontario Colleges Athletic Association (OCAA) Academic All-Canadian during his time with the Grizzlies. Doerksen was also a member of the 2023 U18 Volleyball Alberta Gold Medalist LVC Junior Kodiaks, which also featured Kodiaks Ben Dyck, Marshall Qually and Karl Petker. 

“I’m so proud and excited to continue my post-secondary education and volleyball in Lethbridge”, said Doerksen. “It was a ton of hard work and dedication to the sport, and I can’t believe I get to play in front of my friends and family in the Val (Matteotti Gymnasium). I think my parents have been the biggest influences in my life, always supporting me in my younger years when I couldn't decide what I wanted to do and helping me chase my dreams once volleyball became the sport I wanted to focus on. I'd also say that coaches like my dad, Kris Qually, Kevin Tait, Shane Orr and Corbin Stringham are people who pushed me and built me into the player and person I am today, and I absolutely would not be where I am without them.”

“Alex is a really determined young man,” said Kodiaks volleyball coach Greg Gibos. “We obviously talk to our local athletes a ton during the recruiting process, and we are so thrilled that he’s coming back to make an impact in this community and program. Alex is someone who gets what it takes to be a Kodiak, and I know he’s going to thrive with this opportunity. He wants to build the volleyball community in Lethbridge, and help this program continue to chase an Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) Championship.” 

Doerksen echoed his coach’s sentiment.  

“I love the atmosphere that surrounds the Kodiaks men's volleyball program,” he says. “The combination of stellar coaches and amazing players is going to push me. I love volleyball, and I think that coming to the polytechnic is going to really push me to be better, as both a person, a student and an athlete. I think we're going to do great things this year and I'm extremely excited that I get to be a part of it!” 

Kodiaks coaches actively recruit high school athletes around Alberta and neighbouring provinces. If one of the Kodiaks coaches hasn’t spoken to you yet, don’t worry. Simply fill out the recruitment form (gokodiaks.ca/recruitment), and they would be pleased to learn more about you.