CALGARY – Riding a 15 kill performance from third year middle hitter Graham Vigrass, the University of Calgary Dinos beat the Manitoba Bisons 3-0 on Friday evening, capturing their first postseason series victory since 2002.
BOX SCORE
With the two match sweep over the Bisons, the Dinos become the second confirmed team for the Canada West Final Four next weekend in Edmonton, with the other being the host University of Alberta. Two other teams will join the Bears and the Dinos at the U of A's Butterdome, with a conference title and at least three spots at the CIS national tournament up for grabs.
The Dinos came out quickly in the first set, using a 42% attack efficiency to batter the Bisons early on. With Bisons head coach Garth Pischke using both of his timeouts before the second technical timeout in an attempt to calm the Dinos' attack, Calgary wouldn't oblige, leading by as much as 12 points late in the set.
Calgary got 14 kills from four different players in the set, showing the Bisons that their whole team was ready to play.
Manitoba would take advantage of some early Dinos miscues to go up in the second set, using two consecutive service aces from star hitter Chris Voth to lead 19-15 at one point. But despite the renewed Manitoba energy, the Bisons just couldn't put the Dinos away, faltering on numerous set-point opportunities.
Vigrass would put the Dinos ahead at 29-28 with a big right side hit that seemed to catch the Bisons off-guard before Curtis James sealed the deal at 30-28 with the service ace. Vigrass would add nine of his 15 kills in the second set
From there the Dinos would cruise, never allowing the Bisons to truly threaten the outcome of the set. Oleg Podporin would finish the set and the match off in fitting fashion, stuffing the Bisons last gasp with the big block. Calgary outblocked the Bisons 20-9 in the match, dominating with their defence at the net.
Along with a game high 33 assists, Ciaran McGovern would lead all players with 11 digs as well in a strong defensive effort, while James added nine kills for Calgary.
Manitoba was led by Dane Pischke, who pounded 12 kills, while Joseph Brooks was extremely efficient, converting on seven of his nine attacks.
Dinos Head Coach Rod Durrant was very satisfied with his team's effort on Friday.
“Way better effort tonight,” Durrant began. “We really played well as a team, we limited our errors and we were ready to fight against a very tough Manitoba team. We're very pleased.”
The Dinos will now pack their bags for the quick drive north, where they will be battling for their first conference crown since 1994.
As well, with the CIS National Championships being hosted at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops for 2010, there is a potential for four Canada West teams to qualify for the national tournament. Should TRU beat the Brandon Bobcats in their quarterfinal match-up this weekend, all four teams at the Canada West Final Four would go to Kamloops the following weekend, regardless of what happens in Edmonton.
However if the WolfPack lose, it means that the fourth place team from the Final Four would miss the national tournament, meaning there could be big stakes on the line.
Durrant knows what his team needs to do to find success next weekend.
“We're always aiming to get better, and I think we can always work on our consistency as an entire group,” commented Durrant. “But I think above all, we need to get into the right frame of mind to really battle in those tough matches.”
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