Dinos Look to Extend Hot Start

CALGARY – The undefeated University of Calgary Dinos men’s volleyball team, currently ranked 7th in the U SPORTS Top 10 rankings, will host the MacEwan University Griffins for two games this weekend at Jack Simpson Gym. The first serve will take place at 7:30 on Friday, Nov. 12, with action starting the following day at 5 p.m.

ABOUT LAST WEEKEND
The Dinos impressed in front of over 700 fans at home last weekend during their much-anticipated return to the court. The Dinos dominated in their opener against Mount Royal, winning 3-0, before grinding out a five-set win over the Cougars on Saturday to sweep the first two games of this year’s Crowchild Classic. With the wins, Calgary improves to 10-3 in home openers dating back to 2008 and gives the Dinos a 2-0 start to the season for the first time since 2017-18.

SERIES HISTORY
The Dinos certainly seem to have the Griffins number when it comes to volleyball, as Calgary is a perfect 12-0 in the series since MacEwan joined the Canada West ranks. The Griffins have shown plenty of fight in the series, forcing the deciding set into extras in both of Calgary’s wins last season. Arguably the best match in series history came back in January of 2017 when the Griffins won the opening two sets on their home court only to see the Dinos storm back and take the fifth, 16-14, to keep the streak alive.

ARIAL ATTACK
The Dinos offence was in full force opening weekend. The team as a whole accumulated 90 kills across eight sets, and at an impressive clip, at that. Calgary hit .313 during its opening-weekend sweep, ranking them sixth in all of U SPORTS in the early going.

SCOUTING REPORT
vs. MacEwan Griffins
Game Info: Friday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov 13th at 5 p.m.
Record: 0-2, (T-3rd in Canada West Central Division)
Player to Watch: Alexei Walisser (11 kills and 5 digs) 

NOTES

• The Dinos defeated the Griffins in preseason action on Sept. 25 in straight sets
• Seven players made their U SPORTS debut for the Griffins last week
• The Dinos and Griffins will face off a total of six times this season 

UP NEXT
The Dinos will have next weekend off and will resume play the following weekend Nov. 26, where they will take on the Golden Bears in the Battle of Alberta. This will be the first road game for the Dinos.

-UC-