Dinos handed setback by Cougars

CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women’s volleyball team returned to their home court for their final matchup against their crosstown rival on Sunday evening.

The Mount Royal Cougars overcame a poor second set to defeat the Dinos 3-1 (25-19, 17-25, 25-16, 25-19).

The Dinos fall to 4-10, while the Cougars improve to 11-3.

The Cougars got off to a dominant start, beginning the game with a score of 5-1. The Dinos were able to claw their way back to force a score of 11-11. However, a strong performance from third-year middle blocker Nyadholi Thokbuom propelled the Cougars to a five-point lead. Sheridan Coninx was able to keep the Dinos alive late in the set to make the score 24-18. However, Thokbuom clinched the set for Mount Royal. She would finish the game with 14 kills, two blocks and a service ace.

The Dinos got off to a hot start in the second set. Led by fourth-year outside hitter Kenzie Vaandering and a strong effort on defence, the Dinos controlled the pace and won the set 25-17. Vaandering recorded 13 kills, one block and one service ace on the night.

The Cougars answered the Dinos strong second set with a commanding set of their own. Mount Royal got to work quickly, putting up a 10-2 lead. Unfortunately for the Dinos, the hole was too large to dig out of.

In Set 4 the Cougars continued to build off of the momentum they created, putting up an early advantage at 8-3. However, the Dinos would chip away at the Mount Royal lead and bring the score to 13-12. Led by fourth-year outside hitter Madison Marshall, who secured a double-double with 16 kills and 10 digs, the Cougars claimed the final set and secured their weekend sweep over the Dinos.

The Dinos young core has one more regular season weekend before many will take part in their first postseason in Canada West. Dinos head coach Christine Biggs is leaning on her leadership group to guide the rest of the squad through these next few weeks.

“A big part of what we’re pushing is everyone being accountable for their own role within the group and I think in volleyball in particular the diversity of what each player is required to do is so broad.

“There’s definitely leaders popping up in different places on the court but also on the sidelines and in our practice gyms. We really want everyone leading by example and doing that by taking care of their responsibility out there on a consistent level.”

The Dinos will host the Alberta Pandas next weekend in the Jack Simpson Gym, Feb. 18-19. The Cougars will return to their home court for a pair of games against the MacEwan Griffins. Find all the action on Canada West TV, presented by Co-op.