Dinos clinch playoff berth with win over Bisons

BOX SCORE CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men’s volleyball team battled back after dropping the first set to the University of Manitoba Bisons to win 3-1 to open the final homestand on Friday night at the Jack Simpson Gym.

With their victory over the Bisons, the Dinos have secured their spot in the Canada West playoffs.

After the Bisons claimed the first set 25-19, the Dinos flipped the script taking the second set 25-19 before winning the third and fourth brackets 25-17 and 25-18, respectively. 

Manitoba started out strong, leading the Dinos 8-2 early into the opening set with three big blocks by the wall of Jordon Heppner, Spencer Grahame and Jack Mandryk. With a five-point streak, the Dinos were able to claw their way to bring them even with the Bisons, but it was the team from Manitoba who picked up the pace to win the first set 25-19.

 The Calgary squad rallied in the second, opening up a six-point lead to take the second set of the night, 25-19, and continued their momentum through the third and fourth sets with an impressive showing from senior Liam Kuppe to win in four. 

Kuppe led the floor in kills and digs for the evening, picking up 13 apiece, while also adding four blocks for the Dinos. Louis Kuntsmann added 12 kills of his own, and teammate Erik Godwin racked up 16 points including 10 kills and five service aces.

Grahame and Heppner were standouts for the Bisons. Heppner – currently ranked no. 5 in CW for total blocks – added six more to his name and knocked out nine kills, with Grahame registering five blocks for himself and 12 kills.

Ahead of Saturday’s rematch at 6 p.m. where Calgary will Square off once again with Manitoba, the Dinos will honour graduating student-athletes Liam Kuppe and Lincoln Baines as part of their Seniors’ Day celebrations. 

-UC-