BOX SCORE

CALGARY – The No. 6 Calgary Dinos squeaked out a 30-28 win in the first set, then dominated the second and third to defeat the No. 9 UBC Okanagan Heat 3-0 (30-28, 25-14, 25-14) Saturday night in the Jack Simpson Gym.

The win, the Dinos' second in as many nights over the Heat, improves Calgary's record to 7-5 on the season as they hit the December break. The loss was the seventh straight for the Heat, which falls to 3-7 in its inaugural Canada West season.

With a snowfall warning outside the Jack, the Heat went cold as the Dinos turned it up after an entertaining, back-and-forth opening set. It took the Dinos six set-point opportunities to close out UBC O in the first, but with that 30-28 win out of the way it was smooth sailing for Calgary with back-to-back 25-14 wins to wrap it up.

“The first set was good volleyball,” said Dinos head coach Rod Durrant. “Both teams were able to stay in system and execute. We started to make some plays in the second set. We didn't do a great job defensively in the first, which gave them some points, but in the second and third we were able to improve our blocking and our defence really picked it up – which transferred into our attack.

“We're very pleased with the process, and happy to be where we're at. It was a good way for us to end the semester on a positive note, and it was very much our most consistent weekend of the season.”

Once again it was Graham Vigrass leading the way for the Dinos with a 13-kill, five-block, 48 per cent performance. He was backed up by a strong effort by left side Chris Hoag, who put up 11 kills and six digs for the Dinos.

“Chris was very consistent, and Jay (setter Blankenau) put him in some good situations to be successful,” said Durrant. “It was one of Chris' best games of the year, and we know he can play that way. We just need to see it on a match-to-match basis.”

Allen Meek added eight kills, while Andrew Visser added seven for Calgary.

The Heat got another solid effort in a losing cause from Nate Speijer, while Riley McFarland put up eight kills and Greg Niemantsverdriet six. Mark Broome was successful when he got the ball in the middle, scoring five kills on his seven opportunities.

The Heat wraps up an extended eight-match road swing in its first action of 2012 with a Jan. 13-14 visit to Brandon. Calgary has a bye that weekend and returns to the floor Jan. 20-21 when the Dinos host the Saskatchewan Huskies in the Jack Simpson Gym.

-UC-