VB: CGY outside powers through towering rival, WPG left-side stellar on both sides of the ball

CALGARY – Calgary’s Hamish Hazelden and Winnipeg’s Emma Parker were named the Canada West Volleyball Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.

Hazelden earned the title of kryptonite when it comes to the Alberta Golden Bears and their near-perfect season. The only team that has stopped them: the Calgary Dinos. And this weekend, they were powered by the fifth-year outside hitter.

Hazelden stepped on the gas halfway through the first set Friday night and kept it floored the rest of the weekend.

His 24 kills, nine digs and 25.5 points in the first match proved pivotal in the Dinos’ 3-1 victory.

The Esperance, AUS product then went for 21 kills, seven digs and 21.5 points Saturday in another 3-1 win over the then 13-2 Golden Bears. Against the highly-touted rival, every swing counts, and Hazelden counted them well, converting at a rate of .429 per cent.

Hazelden and his Dinos are peaking at the exact right time, with volleyball playoffs just two weeks away.

The Dinos (11-5) will be back in action for another series before then, when they travel to take on the MacEwan Griffins (1-15) on Friday and Saturday. First serve is slated for 7:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. respectively.

Game log:
Feb. 18: 24 kills, .333 K%, 2 blocks, 9 digs, 25.5 points in 3-1 W vs ALB
Feb. 19: 21 kills, .429 K%, 1 BA, 7 digs, 21.5 points in 3-1 W vs ALB

Meanwhile, a left-side hitter put up astronomical numbers on both sides of the ball in an edge-of-your-seat series with a conference rival this weekend.

Winnipeg’s Emma Parker laid down 25 kills Saturday night, but even more impressive were her 31 digs. That’s a new season high for Canada West this season, as Parker moves ahead of Regina’s libero Sierra Parris-Kruger.

As a hitter, she leads U SPORTS in digs this season with 231, proving her versatility and value as an overall threat.

She matched her 21 kills with 21 digs Thursday night in the team’s first match against the Bobcats, another hotly contested loss.

In the hard-fought weekend, Parker scored well and efficiently. She posted 24.5 points Thursday, converting on .386 per cent of her swings. On Saturday, she led all athletes in the gym with 25.5 points while converting at a rate of .361 per cent.

The Wesmen (6-8) will be back in action Friday and Saturday, when they travel to Saskatchewan (12-2). First serve is slated for 6 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively.

Game log:
Feb. 17: 21 kills, .386 K%, 1 SA, 4 blocks, 21 digs, 24.5 points in 3-2 L at BDN
Feb. 19: 25 kills, .361 K%, 1 BA, 31 digs, 25.5 points in 3-2 L vs BDN