CALGARY – Jaylynn Moffatt hit an incredible 64.7 per cent to lead the University of Calgary Dinos to a straight-sets win (25-18, 25-18, 25-20) over the Mount Royal University Cougars Wednesday night in the Jack Simpson Gym.

The Dinos improve to 9-6 on the season with the rare midweek victory, while Mount Royal falls to 3-12.

Calgary held the Cougars at bay for the majority of the night, with the glaring exception of the beginning of the third set, when they found themselves down by as many as six points at 11-5. But, just as they had in the second when they ended the frame on a 10-3 run, Calgary dominated the rest of the way and scored 14 of the next 23 points to take the win.

"We've proven that starts to third sets when we're up 2-0 is definitely an area we need to get better at," said Dinos head coach Natalie Gurnsey. "But I am continually impressed with what people coming off the bench can do for us. So, despite the runs Mount Royal put on us, I'm very happy with how our subs came in and allowed us to close it out."

Moffatt was the offensive catalyst for the Dinos, scoring 11 kills without an error on 17 attempts. And she contributed on defence as well, figuring in six of the Dinos' seven blocks on the night. Ali Woolley had nine kills on an efficient night for her on the outside, while Kate Pexman, Janna Ogle, and Beth Vinnell added seven each.

Brianna Solberg's 13 digs led the way for the home side, while Ogle added a dozen.

For the Cougars, Mikayla Fritzke saw 33 balls set her way and was able to put down 12 of them to lead all players in the match. Robyn Potolicki added eight kills, while Fallon Middlemiss chipped in with seven. Jenna Smith was the match leader with 15 digs for MRU, with Alex Runge adding 12 and Middlemiss 10.

The win gives the Dinos a slight edge in the overall Crowchild Classic standings with four wins against Mount Royal's three along with one tie. There are seven games remaining in the series, which will culminate with men's and women's hockey Jan. 15-16.

The teams will square off again Friday night at MRU's Kenyon Court, with first serve at 6 p.m. MT.

"There are always little adjustments, but the basics of the game plan will remain," explained Gurnsey. "We just need to keep growing as a team, and we need to learn how to close it out and not end up down early in the third like we did tonight."

-UC-