Weekend Recap: Strong home crowds and breakthrough road wins

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks had an exciting weekend as they matched up against two northern schools.

The Kodiaks men’s volleyball team came away with two wins in front of a good home crowd, while the women fell short in both games.

On the road, the men’s basketball team added two more wins to their streak while the women’s team split their games, picking up their first win of the season.

Volleyball

Oct. 31 WVB | Kodiaks 0 vs TKU Eagles 3 | (22–25, 17–25, 21–25)

The Kodiaks women’s volleyball team put together a determined effort at home but came up short in a straight-set loss to The King’s University Eagles (22–25, 17–25, 21–25). The Kodiaks’ offence showed steady improvement as the match went on, posting their best hitting percentage in the final frame at an impressive .438. Olivia Wideman (first year, Interior Design Technology, Calgary) led the charge with seven kills and a .750 efficiency, while Lauren Barker (fourth year, Architectural Animation Technology, Calgary) and Robyn Austin (second year, Business Administration, Lethbridge) each added seven more to keep the Kodiaks within striking distance throughout the match. Setter Reese Hanusich (fourth year, General Arts and Science, Red Deer) guided the attack with 21 assists, helping the Kodiaks stay competitive against a consistent Eagles defence.

Despite the result, there were bright spots across the lineup. Trinity Walton (second year, Criminal Justice - Policing, Warman, Sask.) contributed six kills and three assists while maintaining a strong .400 hitting percentage, and Sofia Janzen (third year, Agriculture Sciences, Carseland, Alta.) was a key two-way presence with four kills, two service aces and two block assists. Quincy Price (third year, General Arts and Science, Coaldale) added stability in the backcourt with six digs, helping the team push several rallies deep. Though the Eagles maintained control through all three sets, the Kodiaks’ offensive rhythm late in the match hinted at the team’s growing cohesion as they continue their ACAC campaign.

Players of the match:

LPK: #3 Robyn Austin

TKU: #1 Kadison McLeod 

Nov. 1 WVB | Kodiaks 0 vs NWP Wolves 3 | (17–25, 28–30, 18–25)

The Kodiaks showed grit but couldn’t overcome a strong Northwestern Polytechnic attack, falling in three sets (17–25, 28–30, 18–25). Despite the loss, the Kodiaks battled hard through a tight second set, pushing the Wolves to extra points with improved offensive rhythm. Outside hitter Austin led the way with an impressive 11 kills on a .385 hitting percentage, providing a steady presence on the wing. Wideman followed closely with seven kills, while setter Hanusich tallied 22 assists to keep the offence flowing.

Defensively, Janzen stood out with five block assists and three digs, contributing nine total points while also adding three kills and a service ace. Robyn Rivard (first year, Automotive Systems, Calgary) came in off the bench to chip in valuable points at the net and find ways to break through a tough block. Although the Kodiaks couldn’t close out the second set, their resilience and balanced contributions across the lineup offered encouraging signs as they continue to build momentum ahead of upcoming matches. 

Players of the match:

LPK: #6 Quincy Price

Oct. 31 MVB | Kodiaks 3 vs TKU Eagles 0 | (25–15, 25–20, 25–17)
The Kodiaks men’s volleyball team dominated from start to finish in a straight-set sweep over The King’s University Eagles (25–15, 25–20, 25–17). The Kodiaks came out firing in the opening frame with a .538 hitting percentage and never looked back, maintaining control in every facet of the match. Cameron Marshall (third year, Criminal Justice - Policing, Adelaide, South Australia) was unstoppable, posting 14 kills on a stellar .750 efficiency and adding an ace for a match-high 15 points. Setter David Kindley (third year, Environmental Assessment and Restoration, Lethbridge) orchestrated the offence with precision, dishing out 21 assists to keep the Eagles’ defence guessing, while outside hitter Corny Bergen (first year, Business Administration, Picture Butte) contributed 10 kills and 11 total points to keep the attack balanced.

The Kodiaks’ front line continued to shine as Tristan Iwanczuk (first year, Business Administration, Lethbridge) delivered nine kills on .636 hitting and added a block assist, while Karl Petker (third year, Agricultural Sciences, Coaldale) provided seven kills and an ace in another efficient outing. Defensively, Malcolm Fisher (fifth year, Open Studies, Lethbridge) and the backcourt kept the floor clean with steady passing and coverage, allowing the Kodiaks to hold the Eagle’s to just a .074 team hitting percentage. It was a complete team performance, showcasing the Kodiaks’ depth, offensive firepower and control as they cruised to a convincing 3-0 victory at home.

Players of the match:

LPK: #6 Cameron Marshall

TKU: #2 Kaden Tuininga 

Nov. 1 MVB | Kodiaks 3 vs NWP Wolves 0 | (25–14, 25–18, 25–19)
The Kodiaks delivered another dominant performance, sweeping Northwestern Polytechnic in straight sets (25–14, 25–18, 25–19). The Kodiaks were sharp from the opening serve, hitting an incredible .714 in the first set and maintaining control throughout the match. Marshall once again led the charge with 13 kills on a blistering .867 hitting percentage, adding two service aces for a 15-point outing. Setter Ben St. Pierre (fifth year, Open Studies, Red Deer) was outstanding in command of the offence, dishing out 23 assists, contributing two kills of his own and adding a solo block in a well-rounded effort.

Offensively, Bergen continued to be a steady force with nine kills, a service ace and six digs, while Dyck added seven kills and one ace for eight total points. Petker was perfect at the net with two kills on two swings, an ace and two block assists, while Iwanczuk chipped in both offensively and defensively with a kill, an ace and a block and the team held the Wolves to a .118 team hitting percentage. The Kodiaks controlled every set to earn a decisive 3–0 victory.

Players of the match:

LPK: #14 Corny Bergen

Basketball

Oct. 31 WBB | Kodiaks 54 at TKU Eagles 76

The Kodiaks settled in quickly on the road, finding their rhythm early as Summer Long (first year, General Arts and Science, Raymond) scored at the rim off a Nyomi Heins assist, Gaby Power (fourth year, Early Childhood Education, Calgary) added a layup and Paighton Kumson (third year, Correctional Studies, Edmonton) connected on a jumper. Heins and Kumson were active on the glass to limit second chances, and Chase Wells-Creighton (second year, Exercise Science, Standoff) steadied things at the line to keep the game tight. In the second quarter, the offence found a groove: Gianna Gammie (second year, General Arts and Science, Nanton) buried a three, Long scored repeatedly inside and from deep, Zoe Michelson (first year, General Arts and Science, Stirling, Alta.) hit a jumper and Yar Biar (first year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) splashed a corner three. After a late free-throw flurry by the home side, Kumson answered with a foul shot to send the game to halftime even at 37–37.

Power put Lethbridge back in front to start the third with a three and later added another from distance, but the offence cooled as the quarter wore on. Long, Heins and Kumson kept battling on the boards and drawing contact, yet the Eagles strung together a run to push the margin to double digits by the end of the third. The Kodiaks kept fighting in the fourth as Long hit another three, Kumson and Wells-Creighton finished at the rim and Power added a late layup, but the gap proved too large to close. Lethbridge fell 76–54 despite a strong first half.

Players of the match:

LPK: #13 Gaby Power

Nov. 1 WBB | Kodiaks 84 at NWP Wolves 55

The Kodiaks grabbed control early and never trailed, building a 13–8 lead. Power opened the scoring, Long splashed multiple threes and cleaned the defensive boards and Wells-Creighton kept possessions alive with a flurry of rebounds and put-backs. Heins added a steady jumper, while Ava Michelson (first year, General Arts and Science, Stirling, Alta) cashed in at the line and later hit from mid-range. With Long knocking down another jumper late and Wells-Creighton converting a three-point play, the Kodiaks took a 34–20 cushion into halftime. 

The Kodiaks’ advantage only grew after the break. Wells-Creighton finished at the rim and hit free throws, Long drilled another three and piled up points at the stripe and Power mixed in jumpers, steals and trips to the line. The bench kept the pressure on: Z. Michelson scored in rhythm, Kaycee Tallman (first year, General Arts and Science, Lethbridge) buried a three and a mid-range jumper and Kumson added a late triple before A. Michelson capped it with a corner three. The Kodiaks were able to pick up their first win of the season, ending the game with a score of 84–55.

Players of the match:

LPK: #22 Chase Wells-Creighton

Oct. 31 MBB | Kodiaks 72 at TKU Eagles 56 

The Kodiaks set the tone early and never trailed after the opening minutes, turning defence into downhill offence for a 38–21 halftime lead. Nathaniel Hosannah (second year, Business Administration, Tacoma, Washington) sparked the start with a putback free throw, a driving layup and a series of strong defensive rebounds, while Marley Kenion (first year, Child and Youth Care, Coventry, England) piled on paint points and converted an early three-point play. Jackson Wright (third year, Business Administration, Claresholm) joined the surge with a transition layup and boards on the back end and Levi Balderson (second year, General Arts and Science, Welling) added timely finishes at the rim including back-to-back buckets late in the second quarter. Cole Lake (fifth year, Business Administration, Eagle, Idaho) chipped in a layup and a technical free throw, Rhett Lewis (third year, General Arts and Science, Cardston) knocked down a mid-range jumper and found the lane for two more and Kade Lund (second year, General Arts and Science, Barnwell) calmly sank a pair from the free-throw line. The half closed out with a dunk and late free throws that left the Kodiaks in control.

Lethbridge kept the pressure on after halftime, opening the third with Kenion slicing to the rim, Treydon Barton (fourth year, General Arts and Science, Raymond) finishing through traffic and Hosannah drilling a wing three to push the margin past twenty. Wright added a strong take in transition, and Lewis closed the quarter with free throws for a 58–38 cushion. The bench kept the momentum in the fourth: Lund completed an and-one, Barton buried a triple and Kenion continued to feast at the cup. After a brief push from the visitors, the Kodiaks answered with a three-pointer by Lewis off a Lake assist and steady late-game composure at the line from Wright. Barton’s jumper at the horn sealed a comprehensive 72–56 victory.

Players of the match:

LPK: #8 Marley Kenion

Nov. 1 MBB | Kodiaks 67 at NWP Wolves 51 

The Kodiaks started slowly, trailing 13–9 after the first quarter, but turned the game around with strong defence and steady play before halftime. Balderson sparked the comeback by creating turnovers and knocking down key shots, while Lund added mid-range baskets and Lake fought for second chances on the boards. Midway through the second quarter, Kenion gave the offence a lift with back-to-back scores, and Hosannah helped swing momentum by grabbing rebounds, setting up Lund for a basket, and then sinking a go-ahead three-pointer. Lewis capped off the surge with a three and another basket, helping the Kodiaks take a 25–23 lead into the break.

Lethbridge kept control through the second half, using strong defense and balanced scoring to pull away. Hosannah led the charge with early baskets and free throws, while Randall Mongard (first year, Open Studies, Laval, Que.) made an impact off the bench with two quick shots and a three-point play. Lake knocked down a corner three and set up Treyden Barton for another deep shot, and Lewis stayed consistent with smart shot selection and rebounding. In the fourth quarter, Balderson hit a pair of threes and added late baskets, Kenion kept attacking the paint and the bench helped close it out with solid defense and clock management. The Kodiaks’ depth and composure carried them to a convincing 67–51 victory built on teamwork, effort and poise.

Players of the match:

LPK: #23 Randall Mongard