Weekend preview: ACAC championship season

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks have a big weekend ahead with the men’s volleyball team competing in championships and futsal trying to clinch a spot in playoffs.

Volleyball: Games can be watched live on TELUS channel 1998 or ACACTV.

MVB | Kodiaks (17-2) | ACAC Championships hosted by Lakeland College Rustlers

• Thursday, Feb. 20 | 1 p.m. | vs. NAIT Ooks (12-7)
• Friday, Feb. 21 | TDB
• Saturday, Feb. 22 | TDB

The Kodiaks men’s volleyball team kicked off the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) volleyball championships at the awards banquet Wednesday night. Both Nolan Moes (fifth year, Natural Resource Compliance, Barrhead, Alta.) and Kohlbe Anderson (second year, Business Administration, Claymont, Del.) were named to the ACAC All-Conference South team.

The Kodiaks team has travelled north to Lakeland College in Lloydminster, Alta. to compete for the title of ACAC champions this weekend. Championship games and game times will be determined by results and can be found here. The Kodiaks will need to rely on their powerhouse of an offensive system. Kodiaks setter, Ben St. Pierre (fourth year, Open Studies, Red Deer), has done an outstanding job this season of running the offence. Both pin hitters, Moes and Ethan Nashim (fifth year, Open Studies, Lac La Biche, Alta.), are top five in the conference for hitting efficiency.

Futsal: 

WFUT | Day 1: Sat. Feb. 22 | Kodiaks (3-3)

• Vs.  AMB Lions (0-6) | 12:45 p.m. | at Olds College
• Vs.  SAIT Trojans (6-0) | 4:15 p.m. | at Olds College

WFUT | Day 2: Sun. Feb. 23

• Vs.  OC Broncos (2-3-1) | 9:00 a.m. | at Olds College
• Vs.  RDP Queens (2-3-1) | 11:45 a.m. | at Olds College

This weekend will be pivotal for the Kodiaks women's futsal team as they compete for a spot in the championships. They will need to hold on to their third-place position in the south as only the top three from each division will advance. Team captain Gracee Valgardson (second year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) was one of the top scorers among southern teams at the first South Regional event a few weeks ago, netting five goals over the course of four games. Kiara Jankowiak (second year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) has been an integral player for the Kodiaks, standing out as a formidable presence in net. As long as the team stays composed, they have a strong chance of success this weekend.

MFUT | Day 1: Sat. Feb. 22 | Kodiaks (1-3-2)

• Vs.  AMB Lions (2-4) | 3:00 p.m. | at Olds College
• Vs.  SAIT Trojans (0-5-1) | 5:30 p.m. | at Olds College

MFUT | Day 2: Sun. Feb. 23

• Vs.  OC Broncos (3-1-2) | 10:15 a.m. | at Olds College
• Vs.  RDP Kings (4-1-1) | 2:00 p.m. | at Olds College

The Kodiaks men’s futsal team also has a tough weekend ahead if they want to keep their season alive and qualify for the ACAC championships. They will need to win out this weekend to climb in the standings as they currently sit in fifth place. They will rely on Jake Marshall (second year, General Arts and Science, Nelson, B.C.) to have another stellar weekend as the Kodiaks’ leading scorer. In the most recent South Regional he had seven goals. Adam Krisko (first year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) has been another key piece for this men’s team in the net. He’s stopped penalty shots in big moments that have allowed the Kodiaks to stay in the matches.