Weekend recap: Kodiaks put on a show for their home crowd

Feb. 6, 2024 - The Kodiaks delivered a stellar weekend for fans, from underdog wins to sweeps to beating the defending national champions. Friday saw the Kodiaks basketball teams take on the SAIT Trojans at home, the women won, while the men lost a close one. The volleyball teams were at SAIT, both Kodiak teams winning 3-0.

On Saturday, futsal hosted the Medicine Hat Rattlers. The women won 7-3; the men lost a close 4-3. After futsal, it was volleyballs turn on home court. Both Kodiak teams won 3-0, resulting in a weekend sweep of the Trojans.

Basketball

Feb. 2 WBB | Kodiaks 70 vs SAIT Trojans 55

The Trojans took an early lead of 21-14 after the first. The second quarter, led by Courtney Deemter (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Calgary), the Kodiaks went on a run to a 35-34  half-time lead. Deemter finished the game with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

The Kodiaks extended their lead to 54-44 in the third, led by Jocelyn Neilson (second year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) with five points and four rebounds in the quarter. The Trojans fought back in the fourth, but the quick Kodiaks offence could not be stopped. The Kodiaks finished the game with a 70-55 victory.

Players of the Game:

Trojans: #0 Brook Baker

Kodiaks: #22 Jocelyn Neilson

Feb. 3 WBB | Kodiaks 79 vs Trojans 66

Both teams came out of the gates ready to go for Saturday’s match up. After a series of back-and-forth possessions, the Kodiaks were up 19-16 after one. In the second quarter, the Kodiaks added to their lead. Deemter led the team with 28 points, going 10 of 13 from the field. At the half, the Kodiaks were up 44-37.

The second half saw more intensity from both teams, with the Trojans desperately trying to close the gap. The Kodiaks dominated the boards 55-27 to contribute to an exciting 79-66 victory over the Trojans, securing their second-place south zone seeding.

Players of the Game:

Trojans: #6 Audyn Mettauer

Kodiaks: #09 Courtney Deemter

Feb. 2 MBB | Kodiaks 81 vs Trojans 89

Friday saw the Kodiak men’s basketball team face off against the defending Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference and Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association champions. In the first quarter, the Kodiaks struggled to make their shots resulting in the Trojans being up 24-14 after one. The second quarter saw the Kodiaks fight back, outscoring the Trojans 25-22 led by Dray Walburger (first year, Business Administration, Magrath) with eight points and four rebounds in the second. The Kodiaks went into halftime down 46-39.

The third quarter saw the Kodiaks continue to fight back against the Trojan lead but after three quarters the Trojans led 64-59. In the fourth quarter, the Kodiaks went on a run and brought the game within one point. Filip Karanovic (third year, General Arts and Science, Herceg Novic, Montenegro) led with seven fourth-quarter points. Despite the late run by the Kodiaks, the Trojans won 89-81.

Players of the Game:

Trojans: #0 Marcus Masters

Kodiaks: #3 Mason Hoffman (second year, General Arts and Science, Magrath)

Feb. 3 MBB | Kodiaks 95 vs Trojans 92

On Saturday afternoon the Kodiaks defeated the No. 7 nationally ranked, defending ACAC and CCAA national champion Trojans. The game started off quickly, with neither team giving an inch. The Kodiaks were up 21-19 after the first quarter. The second quarter saw more big shots from both teams. Hoffman and Karanovic chipped in five points apiece in the second, leading their team into the half down 45-44.

The high-scoring third quarter saw Hoffman make 11 of his team’s 27 points to a 71-point tie after three. After the Trojans went on a run to go up seven, Walburger started rolling with 15 of these 34 points taking place in the last 10 minutes. After a back-and-forth game, where the lead changed hands 20 times, and tied 16 times, the Kodiaks beat the Trojans 95-92.

Players of the Game:

Trojans: #24 Kuol Kuol

Kodiaks: #11 Dray Walburger

Volleyball

Feb. 2 WVB | Kodiaks 3 vs Trojans 0

The Kodiaks put on a show Friday night, beating the higher seeded SAIT Trojans 3-0. The first set saw a close battle, with the Kodiaks winning 25-22 led by Abby Sauder (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Swift Current, Sask.) with eight kills for the game.

The second set saw the Kodiaks come out on fire with powerful attacks and lock-down defensive stops. Erika Woods (third year, Business Administration, Lethbridge) led the Kodiaks with four blocks. The Kodiaks took the second set 25-12.

In the third set, the Kodiaks were eager to finish off the game in three sets. The Kodiaks took set three 25-18. Aideena Wickstrom (fourth year, Exercise Science, Coaldale) led her team to victory with eight kills and eight digs in a 3-0 victory.

Players of the Game:

Trojans: #2 Trista Longhurst

Kodiaks: #6 Aideena Wickstrom

Feb. 3 WVB | Kodiaks 3 vs Trojans 0

Twenty-four hours after their Friday night win against the Trojans, the two teams faced off once again, this time in their home gym. In the first set the Kodiaks quickly established an early lead but the Trojans were eager to fight back. The Trojans briefly took the lead, but the Kodiaks won the first set 25-19.

The Kodiaks were in control for the whole second set, winning 25-17. Irina Korovina (fifth year, General Arts and Science, Calgary) led the team defensively with 13 digs for the game.

In the third set the Kodiaks wasted no time taking the lead. The Trojans kept it close. A crucial kill from Wickstrom led the Kodiaks to victory 25-23 and a weekend sweep.

Players of the Game:

Trojans: #11 Avery Sande

Kodiaks: #17 Eryka Woods (third year, Business Administration, Lethbridge)

Feb. 2 MVB | Kodiaks 3 vs Trojans 0

The Kodiaks started out hot on Friday night in the first of their home-and-home series with the Trojans, winning the first set 25-16.

The second set saw the Kodiaks start off strong, led by Nolan Moes (fourth year, General Arts and Science, Barrhead, Alta) with 14 kills for the game. The Kodiaks took set two 25-18.

In the third set, the Kodiaks took care of business and finished the game off strong, not allowing the Trojans a chance to catch up. Tyler Chernishenko (fourth year, Business Administration, Edmonton) led the Kodiaks with five digs. The Kodiaks took the third set 25-16 for a 3-0 victory over the Trojans.

Players of the Game:

Trojans: #10 Logan Williams

Kodiaks: #16 Karl Petker (first year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale)

Feb. 3 MVB | Kodiaks 3 vs Trojans 0

Set one kicked off with the Kodiaks grabbing the lead early, maintaining their momentum with timely kills and digs led by Shaye Wall (third year, Renewable Resource Management, Swift Current, Sask.). The Kodiaks took the first set 25-18.

In the second set, the Trojans looked to bounce back but the Kodiaks matched their intensity and kept the game close. Despite the Trojans best efforts, the Kodiaks were able to increase their lead. Paul Dionne (fourth year, Open Studies, Weyburn, Sask) chipped in three blocks for the Kodiaks. The Kodiaks took the second set 25-19.

In the third set, the Kodiaks demonstrated confidence and composure, leading to a 25-19 win. Player of the game, Ben St. Pierre (third year, Open Studies, Red Deer) led with six digs in the 3-0 win over the Trojans.

Players of the Game:

Trojans: #1 Jaxon Thys

Kodiaks: #1 Ben St. Pierre

Futsal

Feb. 3 WFUT | Kodiaks 7 vs Rattlers 3

The Kodiaks hosted the Medicine Hat College Rattlers on Saturday afternoon at the Val Matteotti Gymnasium. The Kodiaks started off hot, scoring just 23 seconds into the game. At half, the Kodiaks were up 4-0 on the Rattlers.

The second half started like the first, with the Kodiaks scoring just 24 seconds in. The Rattlers came back throughout the second to score three goals, but the Kodiaks remained strong and won 7-3.

Players of the Game:

Rattlers: #6 Audyn Mettauer

Kodiaks: #3 Megan Morrison (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Medicine Hat)

Feb. 3 MFUT | Kodiaks 3 vs Rattlers 4

The Kodiaks started off strong on Saturday afternoon with Ryder Skolka (first year, Business Administration, Nelson, B.C.) scoring the first goal of the game. The Rattlers were quick to respond a goal of their own. At halftime, the Rattlers led the Kodiaks 2-1.

In the second half, neither team let up their intensity. The Kodiaks were eager to claw their way back from a one-goal deficit. Slade Wiese (first year, Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Tech, Raymond) tied the game 2-2. The Rattlers scored again to take the lead, until the Kodiaks Vincent Dyck (third year, Business Administration, Lethbridge) tied the game 3-3. The Rattlers scored in the final minutes to seal the win 3-4.

Players of the Game:

Rattlers: #8 Tata Mugisha

Kodiaks: GK Trey Lukye (third year, Criminal Justice-Policing, Duchess, Alta.)