CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women’s volleyball team defeated the Manitoba Bisons 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-8) Saturday night in their final game of the regular season on a Seniors’ Night matchup at the Jack Simpson Gym.
Both teams entered the night having already clinched postseason berths, and the win gives the Dinos a 13-11 record to close off the regular season, while the Bisons end with a 14-10 record.
After a Manitoba sweep on Friday, things started in a similar fashion in the early going Saturday. The Bisons jumped out to a 17-11 lead after a kill by Chloe Ellerbrock, forcing a Dinos timeout. Calgary responded in a big way, going on an absolute tear in claiming 11 of the next 13 points for a 22-19 lead. Alice Nikolaychuk played a big role in the rally and the second year finished things off with a kill for the opening-set win.
Energized by their first-set win, Calgary continued to bring the heat in the second set, scoring the first six points overall, which included back-to-back service aces from Stella Rains.
The Dinos continued to dominate throughout, and after three straight kills from Nikolaychuk, led 21-9 late. But, in a complete role reversal, it was the Bisons with the big rally in the second, nearly coming all the way back with an 11-0 run and getting within one point at 23-22. But, Calgary was able to regroup and finish things off for the 2-0 lead.
Moreover, the Dinos continued their momentum and went into overdrive in the third set, taking the set before the Bisons could even hit double digits.
Nikolaychuk ended the night with the most points on the court, notching 17.5, which included 13 kills and four aces. Closest behind her in points was teammate Daisy Olsen who collected 14 points, 13 of which were kills. For the Bisons, Light Uchechukwu lead her team in points with nine from seven kills and two service aces.
“We had a pretty good game. It’s good to bounce back from yesterday. We did our jobs better today,” Dinos second-year middle Mya Sheridan said after the game. “I think everyone played great. Stella had a great game for our Senior Night and she was lighting it up on the service line, which was awesome.”
“We need to take our Saturday night momentum into the playoffs. It’s definitely our thing, so we need to bring that energy into every night in the playoff.”
Both the Dinos and Bisons will be gearing up for their first playoff matchup on February 24 while they await for their respective opponents.