Strong competition helped Kodiaks grow in first semester

By Lethbridge Herald on December 12, 2024.

Herald File Photo by Justin Seward Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks Nolan Moes attempts a hit over the NAIT Ooks defenders of Finn Howard, left, and Mason Gorski during ACAC men's Volleyball aciton at Val Matteotti Gymnasium last month.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks men’s volleyball team are sitting comfortably at the semester break with an 8-1 record and really learned a lot about themselves through playing the North Division in the first semester.

“We’re happy being 8-1,” said Greg Gibos, Kodiaks head coach.

A goal for the Kodiaks in the first semester was to be above .500 against the North Division.

However the team exceeded that with a 6-1 record.

“I think the North has some really, really talented groups this year and they pushed us,” said Gibos.

“You kind of see a bunch of different things that they’re going to try to do against you tactically and I thought our guys responded really well.”

The Kodiaks only loss of the first semester came at the hands of the Keyano Huskies, who are  the fifth ranked team in the country and lead the ACAC’s North Division.

“Keyano is one of the best three teams in the country and whenever you get to play a team like that, they’re going to expose some of the things that you’re not good at,” said Gibos.

“What I really liked that Keyano did was they really tested us emotionally and they really tested us in the sense of like how can you bounce back and I thought our group did a really great job.”

Gibos was proud of the players efforts in adjusting and welcoming new guys who may not have had that specific role before.

“We’re learning about each other,” said Gibos.

“They all want to win and they all want to win for the right reasons, (and) not just because they want to do it but because they want do it for each other.”

The Kodiaks continuously work on their first contact.

“We went with a little bit more of an aggressive serving model to start the season and we found out we were missing quite a few serves and I think it did taper off near the end,” said Gibos.

“So there was lots of growth which is great for us.”

The Kodiaks resume play when they host the No.2 nationally ranked Red Deer Polytechnic on Jan. 10 and 11.