Olivia Krol, Dinos Communciations

CALGARY – The University of Calgary women's volleyball team kicked off 2018 play on Friday night with an outstanding 3-0 sweep of the Brandon University Bobcats at Jack Simpson Gym, winning by set scores of 25-12, 25-13, and 25-15.

In just over an hour, the Dinos (11-2) managed to wear down the Bobcats (7-6), putting together a spectacular effort while showcasing their hunger for a championship run this year.

Laura McManes played an incredible game for Calgary, with six kills, nine digs and nine aces, supported by Kate Pexman, who impressed with nine kills and four digs. Brianna Solberg notched four kills and two digs, while Kennedy Snape added seven digs. 

Nikala Majewski was a huge asset for the Bobcats, recording 11 kills and seven digs, while teammate Mary Thomson added 3 kills and 12 digs.vely.

Calgary jumped out to a six-point lead early on in the first, and though the Bobcats answered with three quick points in attempt to tie it up, the Dinos made sure they maintained the advantage all throughout. At 18-9 the Bobcats tried to launch an attack, but Jaylynn Moffatt quickly blocked the play, and Calgary soon earned a 10-point advantage at 20-10. Though the Bobcats fought to earn two more points, it was the Dinos that clinched the set with a 25-12 advantage.

In the second set, Calgary rallied from an early 3-1 deficit, winning 10 of the next 13 points, and managed to leave the Bobcats trailing by five at 11-6. Shortly after, Pexman slammed an impressive fifth kill to give the Dinos a 12-8 advantage, after which Michelle Egger responded with a similar play of her own. At 13-10, the teams stunned with an elongated rally, which ultimately ended in favor of the Bobcats, due to too many contacts made by the Dinos. Moffatt served the set point, which was mishandled by Thomson to give Calgary the advantage, 25-13, securing the set.

In the third set, the Dinos again came out of the gates with all cylinders going, charging to a quick advantage. At 1-0 Pexman proved herself to be an interdisciplinary athlete, as she showed off some soccer skills to upkeep a rally. This determination was shown for the rest of the set; at 7-3, Brianna Solberg picked up her fourth kill of the match, initiating a series of points for the Dinos. Though Brandon fought back, they were ultimately able to collect only 15 points throughout, while the Dinos secured 25; outside hitter Pexman clinched the set and the game for Calgary, 25-15.

"Though there were many highlights with this game, there were several moments defensively where it was really scrappy, and we just found a way to keep the ball up off the ground," reflected Dinos head coach Natalie Gurnsey.

She then added, "To me that shows so much maturity and drive to play for something so much bigger than one game. I think this is what it takes to get it done at the end of the year, and to be in a National Championship which is what we are working towards."

The Dinos will once again take on the Bobcats tomorrow, at 4:00 PM MTD.