WINNIPEG - Coming back after a sluggish effort on Friday, the No. 6 Calgary Dinos went the distance on Saturday night, eventually dispatching the No. 4 Manitoba Bisons by a score of 3-2 (14-25, 21-25, 25-19, 28-26, 11-15).
BOX SCORE
Sarah Moncks led the Dinos with 14 kills and 15 digs, while Lindsay Doland helped with 14 kills. With the victory over the highly ranked Bisons, the Dinos have clinched a Canada West playoff spot, and still have a shot at a home playoff berth.
The Bisons would fall behind by two sets before winning the next two to force the deciding fifth set, where Calgary sealed the win on a night when fifth-year players Ashley Voth and Amy Toews were honoured for their dedication and commitment to the Bisons program.
Kate Wasyliw would lead the Bisons with 19 kills, while Rachel Cockrell would add 15, and Kristi Hunter would chip in with 12 of her own. Voth and Toews would combine for 10 kills in the contest.
The first set was close leading into the first technical timeout, where the Bisons trailed 8-7. From there each team would go on a series of mini runs to change the momentum in the set. Calgary would go on an 8-1 tear leading into the second technical. Trailing by eight, the Bisons strung together the next four points to force a Calgary timeout.
The earlier 8-1 run and the Dinos' team attack percentage of nearly 55 per cent would prove to be too much for the Herd to overcome however, as they would drop the opening set 25-14, after Calgary closed it out by taking six of the last eight points.
The attack percentages would be closer in the second set, with Calgary registering an even 32 per cent while the Bisons were right behind at 29 per cent. But it would be Calgary that seemed to answer back when they had to in order to keep momentum. Trailing 11-7 after a timeout, the Bisons were able to close the gap to 14-12, but couldn't get over the momentum hump, as Calgary would restore a four-point lead by the next technical. It was a lead the Bisons would not be able to come back from, as the Dinos would take the second set 25-21.
A fast start would be key for the Bisons in the pivotal third set, and that's just what they got. The Herd took an 8-3 lead into the first technical timeout, and wouldn't let the Dinos get any closer from then-on. Although Calgary threatened to make a comeback with the Bisons needing three attempts at set point to close it out, the Herd would prevail 25-19, and send the match to a fourth set.
Although Calgary would lead 8-5 at the first technical of the fourth set, the Bisons were determined to take the match to the fifth set. The Herd would reverse their fortunes and lead 16-12 at the second technical, and would keep that four-point lead after a long rally point gave them a 19-15 lead. Calgary would chip away though, and would work their way to a 24-23 lead, with a chance to win the match. However the Bisons would tie it, then a Wasyliw roll shot and a Cockrell kill would keep the Bisons alive, before the Herd would take the next two points and win the fourth set 28-26.
The Bisons would get themselves out to a 2-0 lead, but Calgary would score the next four points to take the lead. The Dinos would keep the Bisons down by four until a Cockrell and Toews block would get the Bisons within two. But Bisons fans wouldn't see a comeback completed on this night, as Calgary would hold their lead, and take the fifth set 15-11.
To close out the regular season, the Bisons will travel to Trinity Western over the February 11 and 12 weekend, while Calgary will host Alberta.
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