CALGARY - The Alberta Golden Bears spoiled the final game of the Dino Cup for the University of Calgary Dinos when they defeated the home team 3-0 (25-12, 25-23, 25-23) at Jack Simpson Gymnasium on Oct. 19.
For the Dinos, Ivan Kartev and Greg Mann led the way. Despite not coming into the match until late in the first set, Mann accumulated seven kills and a team-high six digs. Kartev added seven kills of his own and a couple of blocks for Calgary. Setter Jackson Maris recorded 24 assists in the loss.
The Bears were led by Jay Olmstead who scored a game-high nine kills followed by Kevin Proudfoot and John Goranson with eight kills each. Libero Brendan Yao picked up a game-high 10 digs.
In the first, Calgary had a slow start, calling a timeout just ten points in at 7-3. Not generating any offence from their hitters, the gap continued to grow until it reached nine points at the technical timeout at 16-7. It seemed nothing was working for the Dinos as Alberta pushed on offence and sailed to a 25-12 first set victory.
The Dinos picked it up in the second set as both teams battled at the beginning to gain a lead. It was Calgary who went on a run to take a three-point lead at 11-8 forcing Alberta to call a timeout. From there, some great defence both in the back row and at the net, provided the Dinos with a 16-12 lead at the technical with an ace from Mann.
The Bears finally began to put on the pressure as they slowly broke down the Dinos lead. They would eventually tie it at 18. After some missed opportunities on offence from Calgary, Alberta took the lead 20-18 and from there ran with the two-point lead until the end of the set where they won it 25-23.
The third set was back and forth for both teams throughout the beginning with Kartev really picking it up on offence for Calgary. Despite the Dinos' efforts, Alberta kept pushing for that lead, building it up to 16-13 at the timeout. Proudfoot was leading the Bears with eight kills and six digs at that point.
Calgary tried to close the gap, getting within one at 24-23, but a triple block that sent the ball out of bounds ended the game, winning the set for the visitors 25-23.
The Dinos open their season Oct. 25 when they head down the road to Mount Royal to take on the Cougars at 7:30 p.m. The following night their home opener goes down in a rematch with the Cougars at 6:30 p.m.
