CALGARY - The 23rd edition of the Husky Dino Cup hits the temporary Sport Court floor in the Jack Simpson Gym this weekend as fans get their first glimpse of the Dinos volleyball teams in action for the 2009-10 season.

There are intriguing match-ups for both the Dinos men and women at this year's event and we'll begin with the ladies, who open up Thursday night against the UBC Thunderbirds in a rematch of the 2009 national championship final. Both teams have seen changes since that emotional 3-2 UBC victory in Fredericton last March, but there are far more new faces on the Calgary side after the Dinos graduated three fifth-year outside hitters in Julie Young, Holly Harper, and Lauren Perry. The turnover was compounded when third-year left side Laura Wilson sustained a knee injury in the off-season, forcing her to the sidelines for 2009-10.

The new faces have showed well so far in the pre-season, led by rookie Newfoundlander Maura Hayes, who was key to Calgary's tournament title in Regina three weeks ago. Lindsay Russell, who was a medical redshirt last season, will see significant playing time this year along with sophomore Lindsey Doland and third-year Melanie Miazga.

The Thunderbirds are two-time defending national champions and the consensus favourite in the pre-season to lead Canada West with a solid returning cast in 2009-10. The Dinos' other opponents this weekend, the Brandon Bobcats, are an up-and-coming team in the conference, making a playoff appearance last season before falling to the Thunderbirds in the Canada West quarterfinal round.

The Dinos men, meanwhile, return to the scene of their heartbreaking three-game playoff loss to the Winnipeg Wesmen that ousted them from the post-season last year after a 13-5 season which saw them go 10-0 at home in conference play. The playoff loss was a key experience for a team that is now veteran and looking to make the program's first trip to the CIS championship since 2003.

Leading the way for the Dinos one more time will be second team All-Canadian Omar Langford, who suits up for his final campaign. Conference all-star setter Ciaran McGovern joined middle Graham Vigrass with the junior national team over the summer and both continue to gain confidence as they enter their third year with the Dinos, while sophomore Chris Hoag was a CIS all-rookie teamer last season and will be a key for the Dinos from the power spot.

Setter Jay Blankenau made the trip up Crowchild Trail from Mount Royal to join the Dinos this year, adding depth and more offensive options, while Hoag's Cégep teammate Sam Mainville also transferred from MRU to UC.

Defending Husky Dino Cup champion UCLA makes yet another appearance at the Calgary tournament in search of the Bruins' sixth title. Head coach Al Scates begins his 48th season at the helm after his team fall in the quarterfinals of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) tournament to UC Irvine back in April. Scates, who has a career record bordering on the ridiculous at 1,185-252 (.796), has led UCLA to 21 national championships, 19 NCAA titles, and 24 league crowns.

MPSF rival Pacific, the 2005 Husky Dino Cup champion, also had its 2009 season ended by Irvine after struggling to a 3-28 record. The Tigers have added eight new faces for 2010, including Nikola Vukicevic, late of the Serbian junior national team, and highly touted setter Patrick Tunnell from Tuscon, Ariz.

The Trinity Western Spartans, who suffered a similar fate to the Dinos last season with a home playoff loss to Thompson Rivers, round out the men's field in 2009.

The Dinos open Canada West play next weekend with a trip to Edmonton to face the Golden Bears and Pandas. The women open at home Halloween weekend against Simon Fraser, with the men following suit against Manitoba a week later.

2009 Husky Dino Cup Schedule
All games in the Jack Simpson Gym

Thursday, Oct. 15
6 p.m.        Calgary (w) vs. UBC
8 p.m.        Calgary (m) vs. Trinity Western

Friday, Oct. 16
11 a.m.    UCLA vs. Trinity Western
1 p.m.        Calgary (m) vs. Pacific
3 p.m.        Calgary (w) vs. Brandon
5:30 p.m.    Trinity Western vs. Pacific
7 p.m.        Calgary (m) vs. UCLA

Saturday, Oct. 17
11 a.m.    Pacific vs. UCLA
3 p.m.        Bronze Medal Match
5 p.m.        Calgary (w) vs. Brandon
7 p.m.        Gold Medal Match

-UC-