CALGARY – The UBC Okanagan Heat snagged a 3-1 victory over the University of Calgary Dinos women's volleyball team Friday night in their first meeting of the regular season (25-18, 18-25, 25-22, 25-17).

Calgary falls to 4-5 with the loss, while the Heat improve to 6-1 on the season.

The Dinos' Beth Vinnell led the team in kills with 11 of their 40, countered by the Heat's Megan Festival with 20 of their 68. The two finished with .161 and .268 hitting percentages, respectively.

Erika Myhre nabbed 33 of the Calgary's 35 assists, and Emily Oxland led the Heat to 50 of their 61.

"I think we didn't perform to our standards and our abilities," said Vinnell. "I think we need to learn from tonight and come back tomorrow ready to compete."

The Dinos started off the game with the serve, but the Heat would take the first discernible lead, coming out of the first technical 16-12.  Ali Woolley with a huge hit down the centre, followed by Jillian Lazic to get them back in the game. Despite the long rallies, in the end the heat would take the first 25-18.

"I think we need to work on our offence and our attacks - really put the ball away," she said, noting that's what they will focus on in tomorrow's matchup.

The second started off stronger for the Dinos, taking a 7-3 lead, showing a better rhythm than in the first. A couple of tips from the Heat put Rhein back in the game, but strong hits and perfectly timed blocks from the Dinos ensured their lead going into the second technical.

A fumble with the ball by the front row gave the Dinos the final point they needed to take the second, 25-18.

The third set mirrored that of the first two, seesawing points on the board. The Dinos held a small lead but the Heat, once again, came back to tie it up and then push ahead to lead.

Going into the third technical the Dinos trailed 16-13. Although the Heat managed to keep a definitive lead for most of the third, late in the game the Dinos climbed their way back to close the gap, but the Heat took their second set of the game.

UBCO took the lead in the fourth and held strong going into the last technical of the game. Wanting to finish off in four sets, and the Dinos wanting to take it to a fifth, the rallies lasted longer and hits harder, but it wasn't enough for Calgary and the Heat would finish the game in the fourth with a final of 25-17.

"I think every single set was within our reach," said Calgary head coach Natalie Gurnsey. "If we had put a couple more balls away we could have had a different result. I think we have to take risks on offence and have the confidence and put pressure on their defence."

The Dinos and Heat match up again on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Jack Simpson Gym, live on CanadaWest.tv.   

-UC-