Dinos clinical in three-set win over Cascades

CALGARY – A balanced attack saw the University of Calgary Dinos men’s volleyball team knock off the Fraser Valley Cascades in a 3-0 win (25-16, 25-14, 25-11) on Saturday night at the Jack Simpson Gym.

Needing a full five sets a night earlier to decide the winner, Calgary had all facets of their game going in the rematch as they earned a weekend split. The Dinos hit .395 over the three sets with only eight attack errors. 

Outside hitters Tyler Funk and Erik Godwin tied with a game-high 10 kills for the Dinos, while Louis Kunstmann contributed with nine. Zack Durrant led a strong passing game by Calgary with 25 assists.

The Cascades were led offensively by Ryan Hampe with six kills.

“It is really nice to come out and play solid as a team. They’re struggling with some injuries and that played in our favour a little bit, but it is nice to have a team effort,” said Funk, who posted a .562 hitting percentage in the match. “We didn’t pass terribly last night, but to limit those errors on the serve receive end especially makes a big difference on our ability to transition to the offence.”

The Dinos took control early in each set. In the opener, with Fraser Valley leading by one at 4-3, the home side scored eight of the next nine points to establish an 11-5 advantage. A massive kill by Jackson Meier closed out the first as the Dinos set the tone with a 26-16 win.

It was more of the same in the second set. This time, with the Dinos already leading by five, it was a 12-2 run that put it out of reach for the Cascades as Calgary cruised, 25-14.

The Dinos well-rounded performance was capped off in the third set as they hit .571 and closed out the evening on an 8-2 run and won 25-11.

Calgary is now 5-3 on the season, while Fraser Valley drops to .500 at 4-4 in Canada West play.

The Dinos remain at home next weekend for a playoff rematch versus the crosstown Mount Royal Cougars on Nov. 24-25 in the Jack Simpson Gym. The Cascades return home to face the UBC Thunderbirds on Nov. 24-25. 

-UC-