CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men’s volleyball team (10-12) will host the Manitoba Bisons (9-13) this weekend at the Jack Simpson Gym for their final two matches before the Canada West Playoffs. The action gets underway Friday with the first serve at 6 p.m., before Saturday’s rematch at 6:45 p.m.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
1. FIRST MEETINGS – For the first time in the 2022-23 season, the Dinos will face off against the Bisons. Their last matchup occurred during the Canada West Playoffs in 2022, where Calgary defeated Manitoba in three straight sets in Winnipeg.
2. PLAYOFF POTENTIAL – Calgary sits just one spot ahead of Manitoba in the Canada West standings, with the Dinos currently ranked seventh, followed by the Bisons. With only eight spots available in the post-season, the Calgary squad will have to notch a victory over the Bisons to avoid potential tiebreaker scenarios and secure their spot in the second season.
3. BIG BLOCKERS – Manitoba’s Jonah Dueck currently leads Canada West in blocks for the season, averaging 1.24 blocks per set with a season-high of nine total blocks when the Bisons took on Alberta earlier this year. Teammate Jordon Heppner also cracks the top five in CW for blocks, while Calgary’s fourth-year middle Lincoln Baines currently sits eighth, averaging 0.99 blocks per set. As a team, the Dinos sit just behind Manitoba in the CW ranking for total blocks, with Manitoba sitting second while putting up 3.56 blocks per set, and Calgary in third with 3.25.
4. HOME COURT ADVANTAGE – The Jack Simpson Gym has been a tough place for opponents recently. The Dinos have won their last five matchups at home, most recently taking down the UBC Thunderbirds, 3-1, on Feb. 3 and following up with a 3-0 victory on Feb. 4.
5. THE OLD GUYS – Before Saturday’s matchup, the Dinos will recognize two members of their team graduating at the end of the season. Liam Kuppe is one of the longest-serving Dinos in any sport this year, having joined the program in 2016, while Baines made his debut in 2018. Both played key roles for Calgary as they earned a trip to the U SPORTS Men’s Volleyball Championship a year ago.
-UC-
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