Weekend Recap: Kodiaks picked up some road wins

Jan. 16, 2024 – Six Kodiaks teams hit the road for their first matchups of the new year, picking up some wins – and a few heartbreaking losses – over the opening weekend of Alberta College Athletic Conference competition.   

The basketball teams played in central Alberta against the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings and Queens and came away with split games. The volleyball played tough north division schools, with the men’s team coming away with one win over Concordia University of Edmonton. And the futsal started their season playing in south division regionals. After a weekend of play both teams were able to pick up solid wins that will help their chances of qualifying for championships in March.

Futsal

Jan. 12 MFUT | Kodiaks 1 vs Trojans 3 

The Kodiaks men’s futsal team played its first match against the SAIT Trojans, last year’s silver medalists. Kodiak Jacob Marshall (first year, General Arts and Science, Nelson, B.C.) scored the first goal of the game. The Trojans were able to fight their way back into the game and took the lead, beating the Kodiaks 3-1. 

Players of the Game:

SAIT Trojans: Unknown

LETH Kodiaks: Josh Shonibare (first year, Business Administration - Management, Wolverhampton, England)

Jan. 12 MFUT | Kodiaks 1 vs Broncos 1

The Kodiaks and the Olds College Broncos had a close, back-and-forth game that had both goalies saving shot after shot. The Kodiaks were the first to get a point on the board with a goal from Vincent Dyck (third year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge). Shortly after, Olds responded and tied up the game and the team finished 1-1.

Players of the Game:

OC Broncos: Unknown

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

Jan. 13 MFUT | Kodiaks 2 vs Lions 4

On Saturday, the team faced off against the Ambrose University Lions. The Lions were first to score in the first half, but Nikola Baljak (first year, Engineering Design Technology, Calgary) tied it back up before the end of the first half. Ryder Skolka (first year, Business Administration, Nelson, B.C.) helped the Kodiaks take the lead early in the second half. The Lions pushed back and scored three goals to finish the game 4-2 over the Kodiaks.

Players of the Game:

AMB Lions: - Unknown

LETH Kodiaks: Vincent Dyck

Jan. 13 MFUT | Kodiaks 14 vs Pilots 1

The Kodiaks final game of the weekend was against the host school of Prairie Pilots. The Kodiaks came out of the gate fast and got to scoring, led by Skolka who picked up a hat trick. The Kodiaks defeated the Pilots 14-1.

Players of the Game:

Prairie Pilots: Unkown

LETH Kodiaks: Slade Wiese (first year, Agricultural and Heavy Equipment Technician, Raymond) 

Jan. 12 WFUT | Kodiaks 12 vs Pilots 0  

The Kodiaks kicked off the season with an exciting 12-0 win over Prairie College. Thanks to a team effort and the hat trick from Alexa Evis (second year, Massage Therapy, Worcester, England) the Kodiaks were able to take the game early. They were up 4-0 at the half and score eight goals in the second.

Players of the Game:

Prairie Pilots: Malu Santos

LETH Kodiaks: Keira Worsey (second year, General Arts and Science, Raymond)

Jan. 12 | Kodiaks 2 vs Trojans 7

In the Kodiaks’ second game, Megan Morrison (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Medicine Hat) picked up one goal in the first half. In the second half, the Kodiaks were able to score another goal, but the Trojans took the game 7-2.

Players of the Game:

SAIT Trojans: #5 Gabby Cavezza

LETH Kodiaks: #3 Megan Morrison

Saturday

Jan. 13 | Kodiaks 4 vs Broncos 1

The Kodiaks came out electrified to start Saturday’s game against the Olds College Broncos, scoring three goals in the first half. The Broncos tried to rally back but the Kodiaks were victorious 4-1. Gracee Valgardson (first year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) was an offensive force for the Kodiaks, recording two of the four goals in the game.

Players of the Game:

OC Broncos: #12 Tiona Paton

LETH Kodiaks: #23 Gracee Valgardson

Jan. 13 | Kodiaks 5 vs Lions 0

The final game of the Women’s South Futsal regionals was an exciting show of scoring production for the Kodiaks. The Kodiaks came out on fire and were up 4-0 at the half. The Lions amped up their defence in the second half and held the high scoring Kodiaks to one goal. Taylor Hrycun (fifth year, General Arts and Science, Edmonton) contributed two goals for the Kodiaks.

Players of the Game:

AMB Lions: #5 Gracey Nichol

LETH Kodiaks: #6 Taylor Hrycun

Basketball

Jan. 12 WBB | Kodiaks 63 vs Queens 53

The Kodiaks traveled north this weekend to take on the top team in the south, the Red Deer Polytechnic Queens. The game started off with tough defence on both ends as neither team was able to score for the first two and a half minutes of the game. The Kodiaks were able to draw fouls and earn points on the line leaving them up 16-13 after one quarter.

The second quarter saw the Queens fight back, tying the game and eventually taking the lead in the second. Five points from Tylee Perry (second year, Business Admin Management, Cardston) helped the Kodiaks stay close, and they went into the half time break down 34-28.

The third quarter saw the Kodiaks claw their way back with tough defense and key offensive plays. The Kodiaks held the Queens to an impressive 11 points, closing the gap and finishing the third 41-45.

The fourth quarter saw the Kodiaks go on a 22-8 run to take the lead. Thanks to Hannah Helton (fifth year, Exercise Science, Okotoks) who scored 11 points in the fourth and Jocelyn Neilson (second year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) who put up five rebounds, the Kodiaks were able to take the win 63-53, giving the Queens their first loss of the season. 

Players of the Game:

RDP Queens: #14 Heena Sidhu

LETH Kodiaks: #11 Hannah Helton

Jan. 13 WBB | Kodiaks 55 vs Queens 70

Saturday saw the Kodiaks and Queens face off again in another hotly contested game. The Queens got the jump on the Kodiaks early on and ended the quarter up 16-11. Helton had nine points in the first.

The second quarter saw Helton continue to put on a show adding another six points to the scoreboard despite the Queens tough defense. At the half, the Kodiaks were down 21-36.

After the half, the Kodiaks came out motivated to fight their way back but the Queens defense, mixed with a fast-paced offense, earned them a 25-point lead.

In the fourth, the Kodiaks clawed their way back and with a resilient defensive effort, they were able to hold the Queens to 10 points. Thanks to five fourth quarter rebounds from Courtney Deemter (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Calgary) and 10 additional points from Helton, the Kodiaks cut into the Queens lead but couldn’t get the win, losing 55-70.

Players of the Game:

RDP Queens: #23 Sandra Garcia-Bernal

LETH Kodiaks: #11 Hannah Helton

Jan. 12 MBB | Kodiaks 75 vs Kings 89

Friday saw the Kodiaks face off against the second-ranked team in the country, the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings. In the first 10 minutes of the game, both teams came out shooting. Kodiaks Mason Hoffman (second year, General Arts and Science, Magrath) led with six points. The Kodiaks trailed 19-15 after one quarter of play.

In the second quarter, the Kings took flight and went on a run against the Kodiaks. Despite efforts from Brendon Redford (second year, General Arts and Science, Fruit Heights, Utah) with five points and three rebounds, the Kodiaks were down 45-29 at the half.

The third quarter of play saw the Kodiaks come out ready to fight their way back. The teams continued to battle throughout the third quarter, trading baskets and stops. After three, the Kodiaks trailed 62-45.

The fourth and final quarter showed the Kodiaks’ resiliency as they continued to fight back and attempt to tighten the gap. In the last five minutes of the game, the Kodiaks hit back-to-back threes, but the Kings held on, winning the game 89-75. 

Players of the Game:

RDP Kings: #8 Bernardo Moller

LETH Kodiaks: #3 Mason Hoffman

Jan. 13 MBB | Kodiaks 101 vs Kings 87

Saturday afternoon saw the Kodiaks ready for a rematch to get a weekend split. The Kings got an early lead in the highly energetic first quarter, but the Kodiaks did not quit. The Kings led the Kodiaks 24-19 after the first.

In the second quarter, the Kodiaks fought back early, closing the gap by outscoring the Kings 17-11 in the first seven minutes of the second. Dray Walburger (first year, Business Administration – Management, Magrath) led the Kodiaks with seven points and four rebounds in the second, helping the Kodiaks go up 47-44 at half. 

The third quarter saw the Kodiaks keep their offence rolling thanks to an impressive defensive effort against the Kings. Filip Karanovic (third year, General Arts and Science, Herceg Novic, Montenegro) and Walburger led the Kodiaks with 10 points each in the third, outscoring the Kings 33-19 to continue to extend the lead. After three quarters the Kodiaks were up 80-63.

Despite a late fourth-quarter push from the Kings, the Kodiaks remained strong and maintained their lead. Ty Lewis (second year, Open Studies, Cardston) helped the Kodiaks with seven points in the fourth to secure the victory 101-87.

Players of the Game:

RDP Kings: #11 Efe Iyamu

LETH Kodiaks: #21 Declan Peterson

Volleyball

Jan. 12 WVB | Kodiaks 0 vs Thunder 3

Kodiak women’s volleyball came out ready to battle on Friday night’s game against the Concordia Thunder. The Thunder took an early lead in the first set, but the Kodiaks bounced back and tied the score. After a series of battles and lead changes, the Thunder took the first set 25-23.

The second set saw the Thunder take an early lead, which they maintained throughout the set. The Kodiaks didn’t quit, but after a series of service aces the Thunder took the second set 25-15.

In the third set the Kodiaks kept the pressure on and fought hard against a tough Thunder offence. Abby Sauder (third year, Bachelor of Nursing, Swift Current) led the Kodiaks with nine kills. The Thunder took the third set 25-10 for a 3-0 win.

Players of the Game:

CUE Thunder: #11 Emma Thompson

LETH Kodiaks: #7 Reanna Gage (first year, Exercise Science, Hamiota, Man.)

Jan. 13 WVB | Kodiaks 0 vs Eagles 3

Saturday saw the Kodiaks ready to battle once again, this time against The Kings University Eagles. The Kodiaks came out ready to meet the energy in the gym, but the powerful Kings offence took the first set 25-12.

Kourtney Serfas (first year, Bachelor of Nursing, Turin AB) helped the Kodiaks offensively with seven kills in the second set while Aideena Wickstrom (fourth year, Exercise Science, Coaldale) had four blocks. After exciting action, the Kings took the second set 25-15.

The third set saw more of the no-quit attitude from the Kodiaks as they made efforts to close the gap the Eagles had made. Ultimately, the Eagles took the third set 25-14 for a 3-0 win over the Kodiaks.

Players of the Game:

TKU Eagles: #6 Ashley Krause

LETH Kodiaks: #13 Reese Hanusich (second year, Open Studies, Red Deer)

Jan. 12 MVB | Kodiaks 3 vs Thunder 1

The Kodiaks looked to kick off the second semester with a win up north on Friday night. The first set was full of energy in a closely contested battle. After a series of rallies, the Thunder took the first set 26-24.

The second set saw the Kodiaks ready to take over. Their offensive strength was evident throughout the match, particularly through Nolan Moes (fourth year, General Arts and Science, Barrhead, Alta.) with 16 kills. The Kodiaks took the second set 25-16.

In the third, the Kodiaks once again relied on high energy to obtain a lead against the Thunder. Ben St. Pierre (third year, Open Studies, Red Deer) orchestrated the offence flawlessly, finishing with 30 assists. The Kodiaks won the third set 25-18.

In the fourth and final set, the Thunder made great efforts to come back and push to a fifth set. The back-and-forth battle made for an exciting game but thanks to a great team effort, they took the fourth set 25-23 to win the game 3-1. Kodiaks Shaye Wall (third year, Renewable Resource Management, Swift Current) showcased his wide skill set with eight kills and six aces.

Players of the Game:

CUE Thunder: #7 Kai Rosnau

LETH Kodiaks: #6 Cameron Marshall (first year, General Arts and Science, Adelaide, South Australia)

Jan. 13 MVB | Kodiaks 2 vs Eagles 3

Coming off a big win on Friday, the Kodiaks came ready for battle Saturday against the Eagles. Both teams had high energy and made an exciting show for the fans. The Kodiaks took the first set 25-19.

In the second, the Kodiaks got an early lead and kept the momentum going. Tyler Chernishenko (fourth year, Business Administration Accounting, Edmonton) led the Kodiaks with 14 digs. The Kodiaks took the second set 25-13.

The third set saw an Eagles comeback as they battled hard to take the lead. Moes led the Kodiaks with 16 kills and four blocks throughout the game. The Eagles took the third set 25-19.

In the fourth set, an eager Kodiak team attempted to get their lead back and finish the game off, but the Eagles maintained composure and won 25-18.

The fifth set was full of exciting rallies and huge plays. With both teams needing a win they left it all on the court. In the end, the Eagles won 15-13, taking the series 3-2. 

Players of the Game:

TKU Eagles: #9 Bradley Burns

LETH Kodiaks: #4 Tyler Chernishenko