For the first time in 13 years, the Kodiaks men’s and women’s volleyball teams have qualified for the ACAC championship in the same season. The women’s team finished third in the ACAC south division, returning to the tournament for the first time in 10 seasons. The Kodiaks men placed second in the south division, returning to the tournament after missing out on the post-season last year. The teams hadn’t qualified for the championship tournament in the same season since 2004-05.
The Kodiaks men’s team will play in the ACAC championship tournament in Medicine Hat, while the women’s event is in Camrose, hosted by Augustana. Both clubs have drawn King’s University in the opening round quarterfinals and both teams will begin play at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
Kodiaks women’s volleyball preview
It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the Kodiaks women’s team (14-10). Led by second-year head coach Anna Schwark, the Kodiaks improved by eight wins from last season, qualifying for the ACAC championship for the first time since 2007-08.
“We are all very proud for making it to the conference championships,” says Schwark. “Our goals at the beginning of the season were to consistently get better each day and I think focusing on that alone has helped us end up where we are now.”
Veteran Kristine Ward (fourth year, Massage Therapy, Brandon, Man.) continued to guide the offense for the Kodiaks, finishing fourth in total kills (278) and seventh in kills per set (3.12) in the ACAC this season. She was also among the conference leaders in services aces (43, fourth) and hitting percentage (.342, sixth). Laura Serafini (fourth year, General Studies, Grasmere, B.C.) was second in the conference in blocks with 58, while Ashleigh Noel (fourth year, Exercise Science, Calgary) was sixth in assists with 580.
The Kodiaks drew King’s University in the quarterfinals. The Eagles (17-7) finished second in the ACAC north division and are slotted 13th in the CCAA national rankings.
“Our goals this week are still to be better than the day before but we want to bring more competitiveness and relentlessness to our game play,” says Schwark. “We are fighting to break from a reputation that we don’t feel fits us and we want to set a new standard of Kodiaks volleyball that everyone knows we are good enough to make it to the championships every year.”
The Kodiaks and Eagles play at 6 p.m. on Thursday in Camrose. Semifinals are on Friday, with the championship on Saturday. Results can be found on the tournament website and games can be streamed on ACAC-TV.
Kodiaks men’s volleyball preview
The Kodiaks men’s team returns to the ACAC playoffs for the seventh time in nine seasons, but for the first time under the guidance of second-year head coach Greg Gibos. Playing in arguably the toughest division in Canada, the Kodiaks finished second in the ACAC south division with a 16-8 record and enter the tournament 10th in the CCAA national rankings.
"I'm so incredibly proud and humbled by the hard work the young men in our program have contributed this season,” says Gibos. “One of the goals the group set at the beginning of the season was to get to the conference championships and we are so excited to represent the school and our community in pursuit of a conference title. We won’t be satisfied with just getting to the tournament, we want to take the next step together.”
The Kodiaks have been led all season by the two-pronged attack of Carter Hansen (third year, General Studies, Magrath, Alta.) and Dax Whitehead (fourth year, General Studies, Moose Jaw, Sask.). Hansen finished second in the conference in kills per set (3.54) and Whitehead was ninth (3.04) while also breaking the Kodiaks career kills record. Matt Primrose was fifth in digs (211) while Zach Wikenheiser was fifth in assists per set (7.67).
The Kodiaks quarterfinals opponent is the King’s University Eagles, who finished third in the ACAC north division with a 12-12 record. The teams have met twice in exhibition play this season, once in September and once in December, with the Kodiaks winning both by 3-1 scores.
"I am so excited that they get to compete together and enjoy the excitement surrounding the conference championships,” says Gibos. “I couldn't ask for a better group of athletes to be around. They've grown the game in southern Alberta and inspired another generation of volleyball athletes.”
The Kodiaks and Eagles play at 6 p.m. on Thursday in Medicine Hat. Semifinals are on Friday, with the championship on Saturday. Results can be found on the tournament website and games can be streamed on ACAC-TV.
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