Dinos face tough task in No. 2 Golden Bears

CALGARY – It’s a battle between national-ranked teams this weekend as the University of Calgary Dinos men’s volleyball team returns to action, welcoming the University of Alberta Golden Bears to the Jack Simpson Gym for a pair of matches, starting Friday.

Calgary enters the weekend with a 5-3 record and is ranked 10th in the most recent national rankings, while Alberta comes to town ranked No. 2 in the country and is a perfect 8-0, thus far.

First serve Friday will follow the conclusion of the women’s match and is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., while Saturday’s action begins at 5 p.m.

BACK IN ACTION
The Dinos’ season resumes after the scheduled holiday hiatus. In their last games before the break, Dec. 3-4, the Dinos split games with the Mount Royal Cougars. Fifth-year veteran Hamish Hazelden racked up a staggering 29 kills in a five-setter before rookie Erik Godwin made his first start and was instrumental in the three-set sweep one day later.

FIRST SEMESTER STANDOUTS
Several Dinos have impressed thus far into the season. Playing an exciting and dynamic brand of volleyball, the Calgary attack is led by Hazelden, who ranks eighth in U SPORTS for kills per set at 3.97. Hazelden also appears in the top-10 in many other categories including total kills (115), hitting percentage (.374) and digs (57).

Tomas Sorra, the Dinos star setter, has also put together a strong season thus far. Sorra ranks in the top-15 when it comes to assists per set, averaging a noteworthy 8.7 assists per set.

First-year Dino Louis Kuntsmann has also made a name for himself early on in his U SPORTS career. The young middle has established himself as a defensive presence, using his length to disrupt the opposition attack. Kuntsmann is currently averaging just over one block per set, good enough to put him in the top-15 in all of Canada.

HOME STREAK ON THE LINE
The Dinos have yet to drop a game at home this season and will play at Jack Simpson Gym for the first time since mid-November. This weekend will prove their biggest challenge yet as the Golden Bears have looked tremendous throughout the season and enter the weekend with a perfect 8-0 mark.

SCOUTING REPORT
vs. Alberta Golden Bears
Game Info Friday, Jan 21 at 7:30 p.m. & Saturday, Jan 22 at 5 p.m. – Jack Simpson Gym
2021-22 Record 8-0, 1st in Canada West Central Division
Players to Watch Braedon Friesen (3.52 kills per set), Max Elgert (10.12 Assists per set), Jordan Canham (.367 Hitting percentage)

NOTES

• Both teams are currently ranked in the U SPORTS Top 10
• Alberta won both previous games against the Dinos back in November
• The Golden Bears have won four of the last five against the Dinos

UP NEXT
The Dinos travel to Edmonton next weekend to face the MacEwan Griffins, starting Friday.