VB Recap | WVB Ends on High Note, MVB sweeps BC

Feb. 24, 2020 - The Kodiaks men's and women's volleyball teams each entered the final regular season with different goals in mind. 

Having been eliminated from playoff contention, the women were playing for pride against a top ranked opponent. 

The men, meanwhile, needed two wins to hold on to first place in the ACAC south.

When the dust settled, it was a weekend full of positive results for both sides.The women ended the season on a strong note, dropping a tough game Friday before defeating nationally second ranked Briercrest 3-0 on Saturday. They finish the season with a 9-15 record, but went 7-3 over their final ten games to earn fourth place in the ACAC south. While that's usually above the playoff bar, the Kodiaks will miss the ACAC championship tournament due to fifth place Medicine Hat hosting. 

The men, meanwhile, swept the Clippers to secure the south's top seed at next week's Murray Chevrolet Cadillac 2020 ACAC Men's Volleyball Championships, which will be hosted by the Kodiaks. Lethbridge will play Lakeland in their ACAC quarterfinal Thursday night at 8 p.m.

Recaps below are written by LC Kodiaks gameday staff. 

WVB | Fri, Feb. 21 - Briercrest Clippers 3 at Kodiaks 0

The Kodiaks were back in action in the Val Matteotti gymnasium against the ACAC South first place team, the Briercrest Clippers for the first of two games this weekend.

The Kodiaks came out strong, not allowing the Clippers league standings to rattle them. Matching point-for-point for most of the set, the Kodiaks offense was ready to perform aided by 3 kills from Leeanne Arnott. Mid-way through the set, a series of missed serves were the only thing holding the Kodiaks back as the front row put up huge blocks to shut down the Clippers offense. The Clippers gained traction and pulled ahead 21-18, forcing a Kodiaks timeout. The Kodiaks regained some of their momentum after regrouping, aided by major repeated digs from Elyse Doble, but ultimately were not able to overcome the Clippers, losing the set 25-21.

Building on their finish from the previous set, the Clippers came out ready to play, gaining an early lead over the Kodiaks with 2 kills and a block to set the tone. Responding to the pressure, the Kodiaks quickly closed the gap, but still trailed 15-11 mid-way through the set. A Kodiaks timeout gave the team enough time to reset, but the Clippers came out stronger and powered through to a 25-15 set win largely guided by 7 kills from Becky Garner. 

Facing a do-or-die set, the Kodiaks felt the pressure early on and gave up a 9-1 lead to the Clippers before regaining some composure with captain Jamie Brown coming onto the court. While the Clippers continued to push their way through, the Kodiaks slowly climbed their way back within 2 points and forced a Clippers timeout, but were unable to maintain the momentum. The Clippers overpowered the Kodiaks to take the set 25-22 and the match 3-0.

With this loss the Kodiaks fall to 8-15 in the season, while the Clippers record advances to 22-1. The Kodiaks will face off against the Clippers once again tomorrow afternoon at 1pm for the final home game of the season.

Player of the Game:

Clippers – #2 Kirsty Kindrachuk

Kodiaks – #12 Harper Elwood

WVB | Sat, Feb. 22 - Briercrest Clippers 0 at Kodiaks 3

The Kodiaks were back in action in the Val Matteotti gymnasium against the ACAC South first place team, the Briercrest Clippers for the second game of the weekend.

The Kodiaks showed determination to bounce back from a tough loss the night before, not allowing the Clippers to get ahead of them. Johanna Dixon started the Kodiaks offence with an ace to put her team up 2-0. Matching point-for-point for most of the set, the Clippers were able to show their offence with two straight aces and a kill by Kelsey Wiebe. Briercrest took an 8-5 lead.

Mid-way through the set, after series of missed serves and errors from both teams, had the game tied at 15-15. Mack Lewicki broke the tie with a kill, the game continued to be point for point. Julia Beer from Briercrest was keeping them in the game with three huge kills in the set.  The Kodiaks regained some of their momentum with kills from Funa and Dixon and took a 21-18 lead forcing a Clippers timeout. Lethbridge carried on and took the first set 25-22.

Looking to build confidence heading into the second set, the Clippers came out firing, gaining an early lead over the Kodiaks with two straight aces from Beer and a block from Schleppe. The Kodiaks felt the pressure and quickly closed the gap. A block from Lewicki gave them their first lead of the set. Lethbridge kept their consistency and forced a Clippers timeout. As they regrouped, the Clippers came out stronger and powered through to re gain the lead 11-10 with kills from Benterud and Fingas.

The set became point for point as the Kodiaks tried to gain a 2-0 set lead. Mack Lewicki gave Lethbridge some assurance with two straight aces. As the Kodiaks took a 15-13 lead, they continued a strong performance in this set with a huge kill from Jamie Brown that pumped up the crowd. The Kodiaks remained strong and went on a run of their own by taking the set 25-20. Rae Whitehead from the Kodiaks finished the set with 2 kills and 2 blocks.

The Clippers knew they had some work to do as they felt the pressure early to do so. They took and early 8-5 lead in the third set building off the Kodiak's mistakes. The Clippers forced a Lethbridge timeout in which, they regrouped and came out stronger. After a kill by Rae Whitehead, Reegan Molenaar gave Lethbridge two straight aces to take their first lead of the set 10-9.

The Kodiaks kept momentum throughout the set, Lewicki and Whitehead led the way for the Kodiak's offence as they found themselves up 19-17. The Clippers kept pushing to get back in the game but were unable to maintain their momentum. The Kodiaks went up 23-18 after a few kills from Carley Doneff. It was the same story all game as the Kodiaks prevailed and  took the third set 25-19 and the match 3-0.

Mack Lewicki led the way for the Kodiaks with 7 kills and 3 aces. Kelsey Wiebe led the way for the Clippers with 8 kills, 3 aces and 3 blocks. The Kodiaks finished the season with an 9-15 record, putting them in fourth. Unfortunately, since the Medicine Hat Rattlers are hosting ACAC women's provinvials, they keep that fourth and final spot. On the other hand, the Clippers record going into provincials is 22-2 as they finish the season first in the south.

Player of the Game:

Clippers – #16 Kelsey Wiebe

Kodiaks – #9 Johanna Dixon

MVB | Fri, Feb. 21 - Briercrest Clippers 1 at Kodiaks 3

Taking on the Briercrest Clippers, the Kodiaks were back in action on home turf in the first game of the final weekend leading up to the ACAC Championships.

Setting the tone for a closely matched set, the Kodiaks came out nearly point-for-point with the Clippers through the set. Trying to switch-up the momentum, the Clippers called a timeout down 19-17. The change of pace proved to be exactly what the Clippers needed to tie up the set 21-21, but the Kodiaks weren't ready to back down easily. The Kodiaks called a timeout down 25-24 , but were unable to turn it around and fell 26-24 to the Clippers.  Kodiaks Carter Hansen put up 6 kills while Nolan Moes trailed closely behind with 5 of his own. For the Clippers, Karym Coleman led the court with 4 kills and 4 digs.

Seeking a fast redemption, the Kodiaks came out hot in the second set, quickly stealing a 8-3 lead. Clippers Bryton Codd and Karym Coleman laid down some big kills to tighten the gap, but the Kodiaks maintained control of the set to claim a 25-22 win and tie up the match 1-1.

A quick start to the third set gave the Kodiaks a 6-2 lead with Michael Svabb laying down 3 kills and making a key dig. Mid-way through the set, Kodiaks Jeremiah Bohnert put in work both at the net and behind the service line, giving the Kodiaks the boost they needed to maintain their lead. With a series of huge blocks, the Kodiaks locked down a 25-18.

In a do-or-die set, the Clippers upped their intensity, but the Kodiaks were able to once again steal the early lead. Mid-way through the set the Clippers tightened the gap to within two, but were unable to surpass the Kodiaks who quickly regained their momentum with a series of huge kills from Bohnert and Hansen, forcing two Clippers timeouts. Unable to shift the momentum, the Clippers fell to the Kodiaks 25- 15.

With this win, the Kodiaks record advances to 19-4 while the Clippers fall to 14-9 in the season. The Kodiaks will take on the Clippers once more at home tomorrow at 3pm to close out the regular season. 

The Kodiaks will play host to the ACAC Championships in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium running Feb. 27-29, 2020.

Player of the Game:

Clippers – #15 Bryton Codd

Kodiaks – #7 Jeremiah Bohnert

MVB | Sat, Feb. 22 - Briercrest Clippers 1 at Kodiaks 3

With a lot of to prove for both teams, the Kodiaks came out nearly point-for-point with the Clippers through the set. Clippers were determined on their power sides as Bryton Codd and Karym Coleman were a powerhouse for Briercrest throughout the first. The Kodiaks kept up though and did not let the Clippers take a significant lead.

The change of pace proved to be exactly what the Kodiaks needed to tie up the set 21-21, but the Clippers gave them a run of their money. The Kodiaks called a timeout down 25-24, and were able to turn it around and tie the game. Going point for point until 25-25. The Clippers stole a point and were able to take the first set 27-25.

Seeking a fast redemption, the Kodiaks came out determined in the second set, quickly taking a two-point gap. However, the Clippers and their power line upfront took advantage of the Kodiaks whenever they could, they went on to take the lead 9-5.  Clippers Bryton Codd and Karym Coleman laid down some big kills to tighten the extend their lead, but the Kodiaks came back through a couple kills from Carter Hansen and a massive block from Michael Svab.

The score would remain 16-16 until Svab killed it at the right side of the court to give Lethbridge back the lead. Going point for point, the Kodiaks took advantage of the serving errors Briercrest committed and took a three-point lead. The Kodiaks maintained control of the set to claim a 25-21 win and tie up the match 1-1.

A terrific start to the third set gave the Kodiaks a 5-2 lead with Carter Hansen laying down 3 kills and Malcom Fisher making key digs to keep the Kodiaks rallying. The Clippers, however, would fight back with excellent kills by Coleman and Ward. The score would be 9-7. Mid-way through the set, Kodiaks Jeremiah Bohnert had a fantastic kill and block to put the Kodiaks up 13-11.

This gave that boost the Kodiaks were looking for to maintain their lead. With a series of huge blocks, the Clippers called timeout. However, the Kodiaks had other plans. Michael Hummel came up big with two back to back aces to increase the lead.  Lethbridge never looked back as they kept their consistent set, Bohnert came up with another huge kill to force a Briercrest timeout. The Kodiaks were up 21-12. The score of the third set ended up being 25-16 for Lethbridge.

As Lethbridge turned the score around, they looked to get it done in the fourth set to secure first place in the South division going into playoffs. On the other hand, it was clear that the Clippers did not want to go home yet. Coleman brought the Clippers some life after two intense kills. They were down by two points.

The Kodiaks quickly managed to regain their momentum with a series of huge kills from Bohnert and Hansen, forcing a Clippers timeout. Michael Svab pumped up the crowd with a huge block to put the Kodiaks up 13-8. Lethbridge did not back down as they went on a run and eventually taking the set 25-16. Clippers fell to the Kodiaks 3-1.

The Kodiaks record makes it 20-4 while the Clippers fall to 14-10 in the season. The Kodiaks will host the ACAC Championships in the Val Matteotti Gymnasium running Feb. 27-29, 2020.

Player of the Game:

Kodiaks– #8 Michael Hummel, #18 Carter Hansen

Clippers – #7 TJ Ward