Weekend Recap: Kodiaks put on a show for fans

Six Kodiaks teams hit the hardwood this weekend with high profile matchups across two provinces. The weekend was filled with high excitement wins, buzzer beater tying shots, overtime heartbreaking losses and weekend sweeps.

On Friday, Lethbridge College celebrated the Kodiaks Hall of Fame, inducting five new members. The basketball teams played their first home games of the second semester against the Briercrest Clippers. The Kodiaks women walked away with a split, and the Kodiaks men were able to secure the sweep.

Kodiaks volleyball travelled to Caronport, Sask. to take on the tough Briercrest Clippers which resulted in the men walking away with a weekend split and the women two tough losses.  Futsal headed down the highway to Medicine Hat to take on the Rattlers with the women earning a tie and the men losing in a high scoring contest.

Basketball

Jan. 19 WBB | Kodiaks 63 vs Clippers 52

On the first night of a two-game series against the Briercrest Clippers, the Kodiaks set the tone early. The Kodiaks put the first points on the board however the Clippers answered back with a basket of their own. The Kodiaks were led by Hannah Helton (fifth year, Exercise Science, Okotoks) with an impressive six points and three rebounds, finishing the quarter with a 17-12 lead.

In the second quarter, the Kodiaks maintained their lead against a determined Clippers' crew. Each team scoring 16 points apiece and the Kodiaks were up 33-28 at the half. The Kodiaks were led by Helton’s six points and Courtney Deemter's (third year, Bachelors of Nursing, Calgary) five.

The third quarter saw a brief shift in momentum with the Clippers coming out hot, however the Kodiaks Tylee Perry (second year, Business Admin Management, Cardston) helped the team regain control with four rebounds and three points. The Kodiaks led after three 47-41.

In the final 10 minutes of the game, a full gym of fans saw the teams battle, eager for a win.  The Clippers called a timeout, eager to switch the momentum in their favour but a strong Kodiak defence slowed the Clippers’ charge. Helton led the Kodiaks in the fourth with seven points and two rebounds while Deemter chipped in four points and two steals. In the end, the Kodiaks took the first game of the weekend 63-52. 

Players of the Game:

Clippers: #13 Madison Beattie

Kodiaks: #5 Emily Hall (third year, Licensed Practical Nursing, Magrath)

Jan. 20 WBB | Kodiaks 64 vs Clippers 68

Saturday afternoon saw a thrilling overtime game. The Clippers, eager to finish the weekend with a win, got an early jump on the Kodiaks. The Clippers were able to maintain that lead throughout the quarter until Deemter hit a shot to give the Kodiaks their first lead of the game. The Clippers fought back and finished the quarter up 18-15 on the Kodiaks.

The second quarter saw the Kodiaks ready to take back control of their home court. Madison Barfuss (second year, Therapeutic Recreation Gerontology, Hill Spring) and Gabby Graves (first year, Nursing Bachelors Degree, Raymond) showed stellar efforts on the glass with four rebounds each in the second to help their team take the lead 27-26.

The third quarter started with a fast-paced exchange of points, with both teams vying for control. Perry led the Kodiaks with two assists, two steals and four points in the quarter to help maintain the lead.  Despite an aggressive Clippers effort, the Kodiaks held their ground, ending the quarter with a 46-42 lead.

As the final quarter unfolded, both teams fiercely fought for the win. In the closing minutes of the game, the tensions were high with both teams eager to secure crucial points. With under a minute left, the Kodiaks, down three, drew up a play to tie the game. Helton hit the shot to tie the score 60-60. A timeout was called, and the Clippers had possession of the ball. A well-executed play gave the Clippers the opportunity to take the win, but a missed shot left the game tied at the buzzer.

In overtime, the Clippers took an early lead as the Kodiaks struggled to fight back. The game concluded with a 68-64 Clipper win.

Players of the Game:

Clippers: #14 Hope Jordens

Kodiaks: #21 Annah Westrop

Jan. 19 MBB | Kodiaks 94 vs Clippers 84

In front of a packed gym, the Kodiaks men got their first home win of 2024. The Kodiaks came out on fire, eager to defend their home court. Kodiaks Dray Walburger (first year, Business Administration Management, Magrath) led the Kodiaks in the first with 10 points while Declan Peterson (second year, Business Administration, Bentley, Alta.) chipped in with four rebounds and seven points. The Kodiaks ended the first quarter up 29-19.

The second quarter saw a determined effort from the Clippers, as they worked to catch up with the Kodiaks. The Kodiaks called a timeout to regroup and were able to maintain their lead. Brendon Redford (second year, General Arts and Science, Fruit Heights, Utah) led the Kodiaks with seven points for the quarter, bringing the Kodiaks to a 51-47 lead at half.

The start of the third saw the Kodiaks take control of the defensive boards and keep that momentum going throughout the quarter. The Kodiaks were met with an aggressive Clipper squad but thanks to the third quarter efforts of Peterson with 10 points and four rebounds, the Kodiaks were up 77-61 after three.

Heading into the final quarter, the Kodiaks increased the gap to 13 points. Both teams worked to execute their offences, but it was the Kodiaks Ty Lewis (second year, General Arts and Science, Cardston) with six fourth quarter points and Walburger with four rebounds that helped seal the deal. The final score was 94-84 for the Kodiaks.

Players of the Game:

Clippers: #21 Zach Martens

Kodiaks: #13 Brendon Redford

Jan. 20 MBB | Kodiaks 80 vs Clippers 79

In pursuit of another victory, the Kodiaks faced off against the Clippers to wrap up the two-game series on Saturday afternoon. The Kodiaks took an early lead, however the Clippers were not far behind. After some back and forth scoring for both teams, it was Kodiaks Filip Karanovic (third year, General Studies Psychology Sociology, Herceg Novic, Montenegro) with six points, three rebounds and two assists that led the Kodiaks to be up 19-17 at the end of the first.

The Kodiaks maintained a lead for most of the second quarter, with the Clippers closely behind. Through forceful plays, the Clippers caught up. Karanovic led the Kodiaks with seven, second-quarter points, going into halftime down 39-38.

The Kodiaks secured a seven-point lead early in the third quarter, only to face swift retaliation from the Clippers, resulting in another tied score. With every basket the Clippers scored, the Kodiaks answered back. Walburger led the charge with eight points, giving the Kodiaks a 58-57 lead into the fourth.

The Kodiaks pulled ahead in the final minutes of the game but the Clippers were able to create chaos and bring the game within one. Walburger scored eight, fourth-quarter points, and three big free throws while Karanovic chipped in four rebounds, two assists and five points for an exciting 80-79 Kodiak win.

Players of the Game:

Clippers: #13 Oromo Bongomin

Kodiaks: #7 Filip Karanovic

Volleyball

Jan. 19 WVB | Kodiaks 1 vs Clippers 3

In the early stages of the first set, the teams were closely matched as they exchanged plays to possibly expose each other’s weaknesses. The Clippers got an early lead on the Kodiaks and took the first set 25-16.

The second set saw the Clippers take control in their home gym while the Kodiaks worked to claw their way back. Kourtney Serfas (first year, Nursing Bachelor’s Degree, Turin, Alta.) led the Kodiaks with seven kills. The Clippers took the second set 25-11.

The third set saw the Kodiaks intensified defensive efforts and a determined offensive push led by Aideena Wickstrom (fourth year, Exercise Science, Coaldale) and Shane Fowlie (third year, General Arts and Science, Medicine Hat). Serfas and Wickstrom capitalized on attacking opportunities, pushing the Clippers into receiving errors. The Kodiaks took an exciting third set 26-24.

Set four saw the Clippers eager to seal the deal. Taryn Bach (third year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) led the Kodiaks with nine digs. Despite the Kodiaks best efforts, the Clippers took the fourth and final set 25-13 for a 3-1 win. 

Players of the Game:

Clippers: #12 Faith Buhler

Kodiaks: #12 Kourtney Serfas

Jan. 20 WVB | Kodiaks 2 vs Clippers 3

An eager Kodiaks squad took the court Saturday, ready to bounce back from Friday night’s loss. The Clippers got an early lead but the Kodiaks bounced back. Despite a brief rally the Clippers took the first set 25-15.

The second set saw the Kodiaks gain momentum and rally back. The Kodiaks, led by Hadlee Fleischhauer (first year, Nursing Bachelor’s Degree, Lethbridge) managed to close the gap and push the Clippers. The Clippers took the second set 25-20.

The third set saw Lethbridge taking the lead with Bach's serves and critical attacks from Fleischbauer and Fowlie secured the set for the Kodiaks 25-22.

In the fourth set, the Kodiaks continued with energetic play, but the Clippers refused to let the match slip away. Serfas displayed powerful attacks on the right side. An ace from Eryka Woods (third year, Business Admin Operations, Lethbridge) helped the Kodiaks take advantage, and despite the Clippers efforts at net, the Kodiaks won the match 25-22.

Fowlie and Serfas stood up to the pressure of the fifth set, but the Clippers took the fifth set 15-9 for a 3-2 victory.

Players of the Game

Clippers: #10 Rachel Stead

Kodiaks: #1 Taryn Bach

Jan. 19 MVB | Kodiaks 1 vs Clippers 3

The match between the Kodiaks and the Clippers started with the Kodiaks showcasing remarkable team defence. Both teams displayed determination and purpose in their attacks, with the Kodiaks led by Nolan Moes (fourth year, General Arts and Science, Barrhead, Alta.) and Paul Dionne (fourth year, Open Studies, Weyburn, Sask.). Lethbridge capitalized on gaps in the typically reliable reception game of the hosts and executed impressive blocks on Briercrest hitters to claim the first set 25-17.

In the second set, the teams engaged in a back-and-forth action. The Clippers surged ahead and despite the Kodiaks' defensive efforts, a service error granted the home team the set 25-21.

Set three unfolded with solid play, where the Clippers offence countered the hitting of Shaye Wall (third year, Renewable Resource Management, Swift Current, Sask.) and Dionne from the Kodiaks. The Clippers took the third set 25-22.

The fourth set opened with a point from the Clippers. Kodiaks pressure forced Clippers’ errors, allowing the Kodiaks to find another gear. Moes demonstrated veteran leadership as Lethbridge pressed hard. The match concluded with a dig from the Clippers for a 25-21 win and a 3-1 overall victory.

Players of the Game:

Clippers: #14 Cole Johnson

Kodiaks: #17 Kohlbe Anderson (first year, Business Administration, Claymont, Del.)

Jan. 20 MVB | Kodiaks 3 vs Clippers 2

Both teams' offences were in mid-match form off the top, with Kodiaks' Moes leading the way with his attacks. The Clippers took the first set 25-19.

Blocking on both sides tightened up in set two. Kodiaks’ Dionne took advantage of his opportunities to push the Kodiaks ahead, but the Clippers answered back. A timely ace from Kodiaks Sam Crighton (third year, Business Admin Accounting, Lethbridge) helped his squad even the match with a 25-20 win.

Lethbridge brought early energy to set three. The Kodiaks Wall rejected a hit from the Clippers to tie things up. With both teams fully invested in the game, the Clippers and Kodiaks middle Karl Petker (first year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale) exchanged blows. The Clippers took set three 27-25.

After that exciting third set, the Kodiaks turned to Moes for a boost. The Kodiaks charged ahead with Dionne on serve and capitalized on errors by Briercrest to send the match to the limit after a 25-19 win.

Powerful attacking from Briercrest and tenacious defence from Lethbridge marked the first half of a tightly contested fifth set. Down the stretch, the Kodiaks Dionne and the Clippers Karym Coleman converted important touches, but the final point came from Moes' hand 18-16 for an overall Kodiak victory 3-2.

Players of the Game:

Clippers: #11 Karym Coleman

Kodiaks: #22 Paul Dionne

Futsal

Jan. 20 | WFUT Kodiaks 2 vs Rattlers 2

On Saturday the second place Kodiaks travelled to Medicine Hat to take on the Rattlers. The Kodiaks and the Rattlers had a close, back and forth game with Kodiaks Alexa Evis (second year, Massage Therapy, Worcester, England) scoring first. The Rattlers responded with two of their own. Megan Morrison (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Medicine Hat) tied the game in the second half. Both teams ramped up their defence and the game ended with a 2-2 tie.

Players of the Game

Rattlers: Unknown

Kodiaks: #3 Megan Morrison

Jan. 20 | MFUT Kodiaks 5 vs Rattlers 8

The Kodiaks faced off against the top team in the south, the Medicine Hat Rattlers, on Saturday. Medicine Hat fans flooded the gym which proved to be a tough environment to play in, but the Kodiaks didn’t back down. This was one of the team’s strongest matches out of the first south regional as they were able to string together offensive plays to score five goals against a tough Rattler defence. After a long battle, the Rattlers took the game 8-5.

Players of the Game

Rattlers: Unknown

Kodiaks: #10 Brandon Francis