2023-24 season comes to a close

CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men’s volleyball team’s season officially came to a close Saturday with a 3-1 defeat inside the Jack Simpson Gym at the hands of defending National champion Trinity Western.

The loss sees the Dinos season wrap up at 7-17 in conference play, missing the postseason for the first time since 2017.

On the other side of the net, Trinity Western, put themselves in a position to potentially host a playoff series once the playoffs begin next weekend, moving to 16-8 in Canada West which is good for a four-way tie for third place.

Despite not having much to play for, the Dinos treated the Calgary faithful to an exciting four sets of dynamic action. After both teams traded points to open the game to get to 7-7, the Spartans were able to pull away and get control of the lead. Momentum further shifted after a big back row swing from Piers De Greef brought the score to 18-12. TWU would go on to hold off the Dinos and take the first set 25-16.

The second set was more of the same, as the Spartans attack continued to roll along. The standouts from the game were Jackson Corneil, Kaiden Scmidt and the aforementioned De Greef, who all tallied 12 or more kills.

The Dinos showed signs of life in the third and reminded the fans of their potential. In the third, the Dinos hit .391 and added four blocks on the defensive end. Fourth-year libero Austin Ellchuk got the opportunity to play on the outside and made a number of big plays, finishing with five kills and three blocks on the evening, leading the way for the Dinos. The Dinos dominated the third and would win it 25-16.

However, Ellchuk and the Dinos night would come to a close earlier than intended, as TWU would answer back with a strong showing of their own, taking the fourth and final set.

The Dinos now turn their attention to the offseason, while TWU awaits the final Canada West seedings for the start of postseason play next weekend.

-UC-