CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women’s volleyball team turned in impressive comebacks in the first two sets en route to a crucial 3-0 win against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Friday night inside the Jack Simpson Gym.
Calgary scored the final six points of the first set to flip a 21-19 deficit into a 25-21 win. They followed that up with a 26-24 win in the second, overcoming a slow start at 15-7, before holding off a Huskie comeback effort in the third, 25-22.
The win is a big one for the Dinos, as it breaks a three-way tie for seventh place in the Canada West standings with five games to play. Calgary moves to 8-11 on the year, while Saskatchewan falls to 7-12.
Sophie Reed led the Dinos with eight kills and three service aces. Sammi Boag also finished with eight kills on the night, while Daisy Olsen added another seven.
Tielle Hagel had a team-high nine kills and three service aces to lead the way for Saskatchewan.
Anya Fehr had an impressive night with 24 assists for the Dinos and four kills with multiple set dumps. Keely Anderson had 14 assists for the Huskies.
The Huskies came out strong in this first set as they surpassed the Dinos by four points early. The Dinos found their match as they returned to an even score into the teens. With 15 kills, two blocks, and two aces the set met its end by Sophie Reed. Reed swung on a pipe set to secure a 1-0 lead.
Another comeback effort from the Dinos was needed as Saskatchewan jumped out to a big 15-7 lead early. With multiple hard-fought rallies, the Dinos managed to bring themselves back for a 26-24 end score. Sheridan Coninx amassed five kills, five blocks, and three digs this game as one of the Dinos leaders. Coninx finished off the second set with a joust at the net.
The third set nearly saw a reverse script as it was Calgary that jumped out to a big lead at 18-11. But, the Huskies wouldn’t go away quietly, clawing back to within two at 24-22 before the Dinos finally closed this one out.
“This was a really big game for us,” Coninx said postgame. “Coming out of a bye weekend, we want to have a hot start and a bit of competition and this feels good for sure. I think it’s big for us to have Mya Sheridan back as she brings a really big presence on the court and she’s always encouraging us so it’s great to have her back in the Jack. We had a rough start at the beginning of the sets and were able to come back from it. Learning how to come out of the game strong and having a big push from the get-go is going to be key going into tomorrow.”
The Huskies and Dinos will return to the Jack Simpson Gymnasium Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. for the second game of the weekend.