CALGARY – The 2010-11 Canada West volleyball seasons hit their midpoint following Friday night's matches as the stretch drive begins in earnest, with 10 teams on each of the men's and women's sides vying for seven playoff positions and, ultimately, a trip to Quebec City (women) and Langley, B.C. (men) for their respective 2011 CIS championships.

Both University of Calgary Dinos teams find themselves in playoff position as they head into 2011, and both start with key series against the UBC Thunderbirds this weekend in the Jack Simpson Gym.

The No. 8 Dinos women (5-3) face the unenviable task of facing the three-time defending national champion and No. 1-ranked T-Birds this weekend, and their challenge became greater with UBC's addition of national teamers Jen Hinze and Kyla Richey. Both players will be making their season debuts for UBC this weekend after spending the fall term with Team Canada.

In their absence, the 'Birds haven't really skipped a beat. Sporting an 8-2 record, with both losses coming to the first-place TWU Spartans, UBC looks poised to make another run for national supremacy. Shanice Marcelle leads the conference in kills, while Jessica von Schilling's sophomore season has been solid to this point as well.

The Dinos, meanwhile, have been hit by the injury bug of late and will be forced to put a patchwork lineup on the floor against the Thunderbirds. As many as six starters have missed playing time due to injury so far this season. With Maura Hayes, Lindsay Russell, and Sarah Lacny all questionable to go this weekend, Calgary will need some support from the bench to have success down the stretch.

Former national teamer Laura Wilson is rounding into form as she continues her recovery from two knee injuries over the past two seasons, and she along with Lindsey Doland have led the way for the Dinos through the last month.

The Dinos men, meanwhile, are defending national champions and have had a solid start to the season, posting an 8-0 record in conference play through the end of November. Calgary's schedule down the stretch is a tough one, featuring a pair of difficult road trips to Trinity Western and Manitoba as well as a marquee season-ending home set against archrival Alberta Feb. 11-12.

Up first for the Dinos, however, are the Thunderbirds – a team they had success against at the Trinity Western holiday tournament Jan. 2-5 in Langley, B.C. In the semi-final, the Dinos upended UBC 3-1 (25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 25-22) to book their spot in the final against the host Spartans. Trinity Western got the last laugh, however, sweeping to a 3-0 win to gain some measure of revenge over the Dinos for last year's national championship final.

A look at the stats categories in Canada West through the first eight matches of the year has the fourth-ranked Dinos at or near the top in virtually every one. Calgary leads the conference in hitting percentage, opponent hitting percentage, total kills, and assists while sitting third in blocks and aces and fourth in total digs. A well-rounded team with depth off the bench, the Dinos will look to give the T-Birds all they can handle in the Jack.

Individually, Calgary has three players in the top six in hitting percentage – Graham Vigrass (3), Allen Meek (5), and David Egan (6), while Vigrass' 3.82 kills-per-set clip is good enough for third in Canada West. The 2010 national championship MVP, Vigrass is quietly having an All-Canadian calibre season after moving back to the middle.

Solidly in the top four in the conference through the midway point of the season, the Dinos will aim to finish atop the standings – which brings about a playoff bye as well as hosting rights for the Canada West Final Four tournament.

UBC (4-6) is also a dangerous team, currently holding down the fifth of seven playoff spots in Canada West. Their six losses have come against Manitoba (9-1), Alberta (7-1), and Trinity Western (8-2), and a split or a sweep against the Dinos would put them right in the thick of the playoff hosting hunt.

Fourth-year outside hitters Milo Warren and Demijan Savija lead UBC offensively with 120 and 106 kills, respectively.

Two-time CIS libero of the year Blair Bann anchors the Thunderbirds' defence, holding the conference record with 913 career digs – first by a margin of 175 with eight matches remaining in his illustrious career.

The Dinos head to Trinity Western for a pair next weekend before returning home to face Thompson Rivers Jan. 28-29.

-UC-