Tyler Chernishenko prepares to receive the ball en route to a three sets to none victory over Briercrest on Feb. 14. photo by Kolten Bezooyen.

The Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks men’s volleyball team had a stellar season making it all the way to the championship game however they fell just short. After finishing the regular season with a 17-2 record the Kodiaks charged into Vermillion for the championships. The Kodiaks took games against the NAIT Ooks and Keyano Huskies but came up short against the newly crowned champion Red Deer Polytechnic Kings. Despite losing in the championship’s the Kodiaks still had a season to be proud of. The Kodiaks were consistent all year and that helped them make it to the finals according to Tyler Chernishenko, Kodiaks libero.

“Everything about us is consistent. We all go to the gym together. We  practice everyday together. We eat together, we go out together. Everything we do is together and this year we’ve built not just a team but a family. We really care about each other and that led to our growth and success this season.”

The Kodiaks had a very deep team with multiple fifth year players such as Chernishenko, south all-conference, outside hitter Nolan Moes and opposite hitter Ethan Nashim. Greg Gibos, Kodiaks head coach, says the older players helped the younger players develop their game. 

“We had a really dedicated group of athletes this year, all the credit goes to them. The guys showed up day-in and day-out to make sure that all the work was getting done. We had a really good group of leaders this year that helped bring the young guys along and they taught them how to be part of a really good competitive culture.”

The Kodiaks were very fortunate to have some extremely talented players, some of whom came over from U-sports such as Nashim and Chernishenko. Chernishenko says it was an easy decision to leave U-sports and join the Kodiaks.

“The volleyball program is great here and I was super excited to join such a prestigious program. I have a few buddies on this team such as Nolan [Moes].Coach Gibos is very inviting and I could finish my degree at the same time.”

Gibos says adding some U-sports players was very beneficial to the team this year

“Adding a 24-year-old or 25-year-old into a mix full of 18-year-olds gives you some maturity. Older players are able to help guide the younger guys and really lead from a place of knowledge as well as a place of respect. So it is really fortunate to see some of those U-sports athletes come down and find some options academically.”

The Kodiaks are hoping to build off of this season and get back to the grind next fall.