Weekend preview: Kodiaks back for the second half

The Kodiaks are back in action after a long winter break – and all competing teams will be on the road to start off the new year.

The Kodiaks futsal teams will have their first games of the season as they compete in the South Regional. Both men’s and women’s team will compete Friday and Saturday in multiple games. The basketball teams will play back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday against Red Deer Polytechnic. And the volleyball teams will head to Edmonton where they’ll face Concordia University of Edmonton Friday night and Kings University on Saturday. 

Futsal

Women's futsal | South Regional Championships hosted at Ambrose University

Friday, Jan. 12

• 9:15 a.m. vs Prairie College Pilots
• 12:45 p.m. vs SAIT Trojans

Saturday, Jan. 13

• 10:45 a.m. vs Olds College Broncos
• 4:45 p.m. vs Ambrose University Lions

The women’s futsal team brings a great mix of new and experienced athletes as it starts up the new season at Ambrose University in the South Regional this weekend. 

Veterans on the team include Taylor Hrycun (fifth year, General Arts and Science, Edmonton) and Jayna Timinski (third year, Child and Youth Care, Calgary), who are expected to be valuable in helping guide their team through the first games.

Men's futsal | South Regional hosted at Prairie College

Friday, Jan. 12

• 11:15 a.m. vs SAIT Trojans
• 4:45 p.m. vs Olds College Broncos

Saturday, Jan. 13

• 11:15 a.m. vs Ambrose University Lions
• 2 p.m. vs Prairie College Pilots

The men’s futsal team will kick of its season against Prairie College, which is hosting the South Regional games (all of which will be streamed live on Prairie College’s YouTube.)

The men’s team roster includes a number of talented first years athletes who are hoping for their successes on the outdoor field last fall to transfer over to the court. Both Jacob Marshall (first year, General Arts and Science, Nelson, B.C.) and Ryder Skolka (first year, Business Administration, Nelson, B.C.) are coming off strong outdoor seasons.

Basketball

Women's basketball

Kodiaks (8-1) vs Red Deer Polytechnic Queens (10-0)

• Friday, Jan. 12 | 6 p.m. at Red Deer Polytechnic

Kodiaks vs Red Deer Polytechnic

• Saturday, Jan. 13 | 1 p.m. at Red Deer Polytechnic 

This weekend promises to be exciting in Red Deer as two teams ranked in the top 10 in Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) rankings face off. After the first half of the season Red Deer Polytechnic is currently the third ranked team in the CCAA and the number one team in the south division of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). The Kodiaks sit eighth in the CCAA rankings and second in the south division of the ACAC.

The Kodiaks are going into the new semester led by key players like Hannah Helton (fifth year, Practical Nurse, Cardston), who is averaging 16.4 points per game, and Emily Hall (third year, Practical Nurse, Magrath) who is leading the ACAC in three-points percentage at 44%. Last year’s starting forward Annah Westrop (third year, General Arts and Science, Edmonton) is also returning to the Kodiaks this semester.

Men's basketball

Kodiaks (5-4) vs Red Deer Polytechnic Kings (9-1)

• Friday, Jan. 12 | 8 p.m. at Red Deer Polytechnic

Kodiaks vs Red Deer Polytechnic

• Saturday, Jan. 13 | 3 p.m. at Red Deer Polytechnic

When the Kodiaks men’s basketball team faces off against Red Deer, the sixth ranked team in the CCAA, they will need to have a good well-rounded game and limit the Kings’ offensive threats.

The Kodiaks will look to Declan Peterson (second year, Business Administration, Bentley, Alta.) to lead the team in defence. He is currently tied for both third in the CCAA and first in the ACAC for blocks per game, averaging 2.4, while also averaging 11.2 rebounds per game. On the offensive end, point guards Filip Karanovic (third year, General Art and Science, Herceg Novic, Montenegro) and Mason Hoffman (second year, General Art and Science, Yorkton, Sask.) are within the top 10 in points per game, averaging 20.2.

Volleyball

Women's volleyball

Kodiaks (2-7) at Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder (3-8)

• Friday, Jan. 12 | 6 p.m. at Concordia University of Edmonton

Kodiaks (2-7) at The King's University Eagles (10-1)

• Saturday, Jan. 13 | 6 p.m. at The King’s University Eagles 

The women’s volleyball team is excited to get back on the court for the second half of the semester. They will be playing an interdivisional cross-over game facing off against two north division teams.

The Kodiaks will need to be offensively smart this weekend as the CUE Thunder and TKU Eagles are leading the conference in overall digs. Aideena Wickstrom (fourth year, Exercise Science, Coaldale) has been a big part of the Kodiaks offence from the right-side position.

Men's volleyball

Kodiaks (6-3) vs Concordia University of Edmonton Thunder (1-10)

• Friday, Jan. 12 | 8 p.m. at Concordia University of Edmonton

Kodiaks (6-3) vs The King's University Eagles (6-5)

• Saturday, Jan. 13 | 8 p.m. at The King’s University

The Kodiaks men’s team is hoping to carry over the momentum and excitement from their last wins against the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings as they look better their record of 6-3. 

The men’s team is set to face two team that are defensively sound as they are in the top of the conference for overall digs. As they brace themselves for protracted rallies this weekend, the Kodiaks must maintain composure. The experienced leadership of veteran player Nolan Moes (fourth year, General Arts and Science, Barrhead, Alta.) will be pivotal in this second half of the season.