CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos picked up the first set of their season opener but watched as the Mount Royal University Cougars responded by taking the next three, winning 3-1 (22-25, 25-18, 26-24, 25-16) on Friday at the Jack Simpson Gym.
Dinos team captain Kenzie Vaandering led the team in kills with 13, while first-year outside hitter Sophie Reed contributed eight kills, three assists and 14 digs in her Canada West debut.
On the loss Dinos head coach, Christina Biggs stated, “We definitely came out in the style of play we wanted but we didn’t sustain it.”
Cougars outside hitters Jessica Osczevski and Haley Roe dominated the second set for Mount Royal, combining for 11 points. Osczevski led the Cougars in kills with 17, and Roe followed close behind with 16.
The Dinos and Cougars went back and forth to start the third set, but ultimately the Dinos defensive effort wasn’t enough to stop Mount Royal. The Dinos came back from being down 20-15, scoring six points in a row. But three attack errors by Calgary and two kills from the Cougars would seal the set for Mount Royal.
Fourth-year Cougar Quinn Pelland picked up where she left off in 2019, contributing 10 assists in the fourth set to secure the win for Mount Royal. Pelland tallied a total of 42 assists throughout the game.
The Dinos look to split opening weekend when they meet the Cougars again on Saturday at the Jack Simpson Gym. The first serve is at 6:30 p.m. and can be seen live on Canada West.tv, presented by Co-op.
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