Larissa Vicente Ferreira; Dinos Communications

CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos remained clean on the season after a three-set win (27-25, 25-17, 29-27) in Saturday's second game against the University of Regina Cougars.

Regina's Ashlee Sandiford led all players 19 kills, followed by Calgary's Kate Pexman who put down 16 kills during the match – the only Dino to hit double digits. Regina's Diana Lumbala added 13 kills in a losing cause.

The first set started with the Dinos a bit out of sync due to Regina's Satomi Togawa's six-point lead with her power serve. It was after six points that Calgary's Beth Vinnell opened up the score for the Dinos. The Cougars had great net control through the first set, being able to block the Dinos' attacks 4 times. However, after Kenzie Vaandering's service ace, the Dinos flipped the momentum and had a two-point lead on the Cougars. After battling it out, it was touch and go on set point. Eventually, the Dinos won the first set with a 27-25 score.

After an emotional first set, the Dinos showed control, with a .286 hitting percentage, and forced the Cougars to make errors, hitting just .026 with nine attack errors against the Dinos' four. Calgary took the second set by 25-17.

During the final set, the scoreboard difference got smaller. The Cougars had a better start and hung in tight with the Dinos. The Cougars played better at the net, and it was Jessica Lerminiaux's serve that turned the game around. With 49 attack attempts, Regina did not relinquish the lead through the first half of the set. In the second half, the Dinos slowly chipped away at the score difference, with 46 attack attempts, having the best rally of the night. It was a tough break for the Cougars with the Dinos tying the game at every set-point, ultimately, Calgary took the win home with a 29-27 score.

"Regina came out to play, for sure, they came out swinging, so we decided to stay really patient and adjust. The fact that we were able to stay patient was a really good sign," said Calgary libero Kennedy Snape, who had 14 digs.

"I think Regina game-planned a little bit and came out with a whole new set of things we had to adjust to and I feel like we did a pretty good job of staying patient and waiting on our plays" added Adriel Goodman, who had total attacks during the match.

The Dinos head on the road to face the Saskatchewan Huskies next weekend, looking to keep their momentum going.

"Every win in Canada West matters, it is huge and a very tough conference, we need every win," said Snape. "The Huskies are a really good defensive team, and we are going to have to get aggressive."

The Huskies and Dinos will do battle next weekend in Saskatoon, while the Cougars will also play at home to welcome the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack to the CKHS.

-UC-

Photo by David Moll