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University of Calgary Athletics

Sarah Moncks
David Moll

Seniors shine in sweep of Spartans

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CALGARY –
Recognized before the match for their five-year careers in Dinos jerseys, the tandem of Sarah Lacny and Melanie Miazga made the most of their final appearance in the Jack Simpson Gym, leading the unranked University of Calgary Dinos to their second 3-1 upset win (25-18, 25-20, 19-25, 27-25) over No. 2 Trinity Western in as many nights Saturday.

The win vaults Calgary to 10-8 on the season, just two games behind Trinity Western (12-6) heading into the final weekend of Canada West play. It all but clinched a playoff spot for Calgary, and it could very well have been a playoff preview as the Spartans fell all the way to fourth place with the loss.

“Tonight was a pretty cool night,” said rookie Dinos head coach Natalie Schwartz. “We always have a word that we focus on, and tonight it was about 'honour.' It was beyond just honouring the fifth-year players, but also what we started to create with our performance last night. I'm really proud of the girls, because they were definitely challenged by a solid team but were able to make plays under pressure.”

Miazga came out like gangbusters in the first set, notching five kills, and finished the night with 10 on 25 attempts for a .400 hitting percentage in her Jack Simpson Gym swan song.

“Mel meant business tonight, and she finished the match with zero errors,” said Schwartz. “She was solid for us, hung in there, and found different ways to score.”

The last point of the night was a special moment for Lacny, and it kept the match from heading to a fifth set. After Calgary fended off two set point opportunities for the Spartans, Calgary took a 26-25 lead and Spartans head coach Ryan Hofer called time out. On match point, Lacny served right at TWU libero Jodi Neufeld – and aced her to win the match on her final point in her home gym.

“In the time out right before that, I said we have a tradition where there's a fifth-year play to end the match on this night,” laughed Schwartz. “I told them they either had to find a way to get the ball to Mel, or that Sarah had to serve an ace. So that was pretty cool.”

The first set was close early on with the two teams tied at 9-9. But in the middle part of the game the Dinos took over and built a 16-13 lead going into the technical break. Calgary maintained its advantage after the break as they moved on to take the opening set 25-18.

The serving of Calgary's Andrea Price staked the Dinos to an early 9-2 lead after six straight serves to kick-off the second set. A few points later, with TWU trailing 11-7, Nicole Bazin responded with a serving run of her own as the Spartans took a 12-11 lead. The two teams remained even until 18-18. Then the Dinos broke open the set with a seven-to-two run, punctuated by a Sarah Moncks serving ace, to take the second set 25-20.

The Spartans responded to start the third set. TWU to take an eight-to-four lead. Calgary countered with a five-to-one run to tie the set at nine-to-nine. The Spartans called a timeout and took advantage out of the break to claim a five point, 15-10 lead. Once again the Dinos closed the gap as TWU held a 16-13 lead at the technical break. The Spartans expanded their lead to 20-15 after a string of Amber Brown serves. TWU would use the advantage to take the third set 25-19 and pull within one game in sets, trailing two-to-one.

In the fourth set the Dinos jumped out to the early eight-to-five lead. TWU rallied to tie the set at 11-11. From there it was even until 22-22. The Spartans got two straight points to take the 24-22 lead and look to be heading to a fifth set, but back-to-back attack errors by Richardson set up Lacny's heroics.

Amy Leschied with 14 kills and 12 digs, Nicole Bazin with nine kills and two blocks and Royal Richardson with 11 kills and 10 digs and Jodi Neufeld with 17 digs led the Spartans. Price's 12 kills and 11 digs while Sarah Moncks added 10 kills and 17 digs and Miazga with 10 kills and five blocks for Calgary.

The Spartans return home to close the season against the four-time defending CIS champion UBC Thunderbirds at home in Langley, while Calgary heads to Regina to close the regular season with a date against the Cougars.

-UC-
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