Team effort sends Dinos past Griffins

EDMONTON – Despite a spirited effort from MacEwan, the University of Calgary Dinos men’s volleyball team overcame an early deficit to post a strong 3-1 win Friday evening from the David Atkinson Gymnasium.

After dropping a very tight opener, the Dinos (12-5) responded with three straight sets, finishing the match off in convincing style; 23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-16.

Hamish Hazelden led the Dinos with 12 kills on the night, with Erik Godwin also tallying double figures with 11.

Tomas Sorra dished out 26 assists in the win, while Jacob Reid also helped guide the offence with 21 assists of his own.

Lincoln Baines played a big role at the net defensive, tying his career high with nine blocks on the night to go with eight kills.

Jefferson Morrow led the way for MacEwan (1-16) with 12 kills and 11 digs.

After the Griffins narrowly claimed the opening set, the Dinos answered right back. Trailing late, 21-19, the visitors showed their composure. Hazelden hammered home a pair of kills, sandwiching a block by Godwin and Baines to flip the script. After a point by MacEwan, Calgary once again showed its poise with three of the next four points, finishing things off on an emphatic swing by Hazelden to even things up at 1-1.

The Dinos quickly jumped ahead in the third and ran away with it. An ace by Godwin made it 11-7 early, and a triple block by Baines, Sorra and Liam Kuppe put them ahead 16-11. Two late laser shots from Parker Siroishka gave the Dinos the 2-1 lead overall.

In the fourth, the Griffins jumped out to a 11-5 lead and it looked like they might force this one to a decisive fifth frame. The Dinos had other things in mind as they responded with runs of 5-0, 6-0 and 5-0 to completely remove all hope from the home squad and put this one to bed.

The two teams will close out the regular season Saturday night with a rematch, squaring off at approximately 6:30 p.m., streamed live on Canada West TV, presented by Co-Op.