CALGARY – Buoyed by an efficient attack that overwhelmed their error-prone opponents, the no.9 University of Calgary Dinos quickly dispatched the no.8 Regina Cougars on Friday night, winning in three sets (25-21, 25-14, 25-23).
The story of the game was mistakes, and the Cougars simply made too many to stay with a young Dinos team that sports no fifth-year seniors. The Cougars made 19 attack errors on the night to Calgary's nine, as well as 13 service errors, with seven of those coming in a tone-setting first set.
The errors crippled an otherwise statistically even affair, as Regina matched Calgary in the kill department with 37, and were only one dig behind the home-squad on the night.
Calgary (4-3) was very effective on the net on Friday, converting on 34% of their attack opportunities, as well as doubling the Courgars' block total with a 16-8 advantage. Six different Dinos found better than 25% success in their attacks – an solid team effort the young squad must rely on moving forward.
The Dinos had previously been struggling with their attacking errors with nearly six per set but managed to largely avoid them on Friday, much to the satisfaction of their head coach, Jesse Knight.
“That's our best game this year in terms of limiting our mistakes,” said the third-year head coach. “We kept the ball in play by using our brains, and without letting up on our swings.”
“We were also really effective in getting quality ball touches at the net,” continued Knight. “We were able to get a quality piece on many of their attacks, which I thought really made a difference.”
Calgary did accumulate some service errors in a competitive third set, but otherwise kept their play quite clean. Regina (3-4) held a 20-15 lead in the third set but let it slip away late largely due to six errors in the Dinos 10-3 run to finish it.
Lindsay Russell led Calgary with 11 kills on a terrific 58% conversion rate, four digs and three blocks. It was Russell who was responsible for the match deciding kill, ending a strong Calgary finish with a powerful cross-court attack.
Laura Wilson followed with ten kills and four digs, while Sarah Lacny had a terrific game at setter, rounding out 32 assists with nine digs and four blocks.
Solveig Nilson was the most successful Cougar in the match, finishing half of her kill opportunities with 11 in total. Megan Onstad and Kaitlyn Hughes combined for 15 kills and 15 digs as well.
Calgary and Regina will meet again on Saturday night in the series rematch, which will mark the completion of the Canada West fall semester for both teams.
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