CALGARY - In one of their last home games of the season, the No. 10 University of Calgary Dinos defeated the No. 7 UBC Thunderbirds 3-1 (25-20-25-22, 20-25, 25-22) at Jack Simpson Gym on Jan. 30.
Calgary now improves to 13-10 with one regular season game left to play, while UBC drops to 11-10. With playoffs just around the corner, head coach Natalie Gurnsey stressed how important the win was for the Dinos tonight.
"This win was key so that we're not crossing out fingers next week when we have a bye. That's the biggest thing, to secure a playoff position this weekend. Even bigger than that was this team getting a win where we felt really confident playing together and getting the win as a group and so it was two-fold for us."
The Dinos were led by middles Jaylynn Moffatt and Beth Vinnell with 20 and 15 kills, respectively. Rookie Kate Pexman also hit double digits with 12 kills and 7 digs. Libero Amber Brown had a game-high 16 digs while setter Jordhynn Guy recorded a game-high 46 assists.
For the Thunderbirds, both Lisa Barclay and Rosie Schlagintweit recorded 19 kills. Libero Juliana Kaufmanis added a team-high 11 digs and setter Alessandra Gentile recorded 41 assists.
"I believe it was a fantastic team effort, but Jaylynn Moffatt was absolutely stellar tonight," said Gurnsey. "Jordhynn [Guy] was very solid for us as well, she ran the game plan that we needed, and then I think at different moments different people stepped up. Laura McManes get a huge stuff block against one of their best left-sides and that was a great moment in the match."
Both powerhouse teams were so evenly matched that every single set had the teams tied at 20 all. In the first, the difference maker was Vinnell, who rotated to the back row and subsequently served three aces and a couple more to prevent the Thunderbirds from taking the first set. The rookie middle was strong in the second set along with fellow middle Moffatt, with both providing offence and defence at the net. It was also the defensive work of Jordhynn Guy that allowed the Dinos to take a two set lead.
In the third, Calgary found themselves playing catch up throughout most of the beginning of the match with trouble attacking. The defence from UBC's outside hitters made it difficult for Calgary to get anything going. Trailing 18-13, the Dinos found a way to tie up the set at 19 all and taking the lead, but only for a short time. It was Barclay who carried the Thunderbirds to the win, scoring on the final three points of the third, forcing a fourth set.
In the final set of the match, the Dinos had their best start of the night, going up 6-1 and playing scrappy defence. UBC didn't tie the game up until 13 all with two aces from first-year Ciara Hanly. The set remained tied up to 22 all, before the Dinos confident playing at a crucial time earned them the win.
"The whole week we've been talking about going through our process and going through every point on an even keel and letting it go, good or bad," said Gurnsey. "That's what I think helped us stay even throughout the match."
The Dinos will rematch the Thunderbirds tomorrow night at 5pm in their final regular season game. Calgary will also honour fifth-years Guy and Brown at Enterprise Senior Night following the match.
