EDMONTON – The No. 1-ranked Alberta Golden Bears remained undefeated with a straight sets 3-0 win (25-18, 25-18, 25-18) over the University of Calgary Dinos men’s volleyball team on Saturday night at the Saville Community Sports Centre.
Leading the way for Alberta was reigning U SPORTS Player of the Year Isaac Heslinga with 16 kills. During the third set, the fourth-year outside hitter also became the sixth Golden Bear to record 1000 career kills.
Liam Espedido added 13 kills to help Alberta to their 10th consecutive win to open the season. Louis Kuntsmann countered with a 10-kill night as Calgary now holds a 3-5 record.
Service errors hurt the Dinos in an otherwise close opening set. The Golden Bears held a one-point lead at 16-15 when their outside attack took control. They capped off the first with a 6-1 run and ended on a kill by Jacob Sargent.
The two rivals traded points in the second set until a run by Alberta built a six-point lead for the home team and forced a Calgary timeout. The ‘Bears experienced some problems at the service line that gave the Dinos opportunities, but they could not capitalize. After a Calgary three-point run late, Alberta reset in a timeout and scored the following four points to complete the set.
With the score tied 5-5 in the third set, Heslinga gave Alberta the lead by recording his milestone 1000th kill. It appeared to be the cherry on top in this Battle of Alberta weekend, as the Golden Bears pulled away mid-way through the third set and kept the Dinos from mounting any comeback.
Alberta ended the night with an outstanding .636 hitting percentage, much of which was orchestrated by Luke Weddell, who collected 36 assists.
The Dinos finished the evening with a .283 hitting percentage – well above their season average.
Calgary returns home to face the UBC Okanagan Heat in their final set of games before the holidays. The weekend begins with the annual Block Party on Friday, Nov. 29.
Alberta travels east to face the Brandon Bobcats next weekend.