CALGARY – In their shortest match of the season, the University of Calgary Dinos women's volleyball team coasted to a 3-0 victory over the MacEwan University Griffins on Saturday night at Jack Simpson Gymnasium (25-17, 25-15, 25-15).

The crucial weekend sweep puts the Dinos back into playoff contention. With an 8-10 record, the team moved up three spots in the standings and are now sixth in Canada West. The Griffins are still in eleventh place in the conference with a 4-12 record.

"It was a successful weekend, for sure, but it was really crucial to get that sweep," said outside hitter Ali Woolley, who finished with eight kills and four digs. "We were 6-10 and we really need those wins against teams who are in the mix, kind of like we are."

Like on Friday night, Dinos' rookies Rachel Solecki and Natasha Gordey played a big part in getting the win. Solecki led the Dinos' offense, with 12 kills and a .455 hitting percentage. Gordey was one the Dinos' defensive leaders, with eight digs as libero.

"Rachel Solecki was a stand out for us again," said head coach Natalie Gurnsey. "But we passed very well, served very aggressively and were just efficient all-around."

For the Griffins, Cassidy Kinsella scored 10 digs and also managed six kills.

The Dinos started the first set strong, going up 4-1 within a few minutes. Powerful hitting from the right side kept the Dinos ahead, but the Griffins didn't let the home side run away with it. Some long rallies tested both teams, but the Dinos would go into the first technical time out up 16-14.

As the set neared its close, the Griffins' defense started to falter. Down 20-17, Griffins head coach Ken Briggs called a timeout to rally his team. But whatever he said had little effect, as the Dinos then went on a five-point run to close out the set 25-17.  Solecki and Woolley led the attack in the first set, each registering four kills.

The second set started out much like the first, with the Dinos pulling ahead 4-0, 5-2 and 8-3. But the Griffins improved their hitting, decreasing the Dinos' lead to just two points and compelling Gurnsey to use her first timeout of the game.

With the set tied at 10, the Griffins looked like they were back in it. But then Woolley went on a 10-point serving run, effectively ending the away side's chance of tying the match at 1-1. Outside hitter Amber Adolf led the Dinos throughout the set, scoring five kills from the left side and earning five digs as well.

With a 10-point cushion, the Dinos took the set comfortably, eventually winning 25-15. Adolf ended the set with a furious spike.

"I think it was one of our more crisp performances," said Gurnsey.

Up 2-0 after less than an hour of play, the Dinos' confidence was high heading into the third set.

"The words from our coach were just 'finish it. Let's just go for it, let's do business tonight and get it done in three'," said Woolley. "That was our mentality, to just get it done."

With the Griffins over-hitting several of their spikes in the third set, the Dinos quickly pulled ahead by five. Some strong defensive play from Adolf and Gordey and some pinpoint serves from setter Erika Myhre helped the home side extend their lead to eight. The Dinos would coast to an 11-point win in the third set.

The weekend marks the Dinos' third sweep of the season. Gurnsey credited her team's mentality in earning the win.

"They were certainly in good spirits. We knew what we needed to accomplish this weekend, so the girls came in very purposeful and very focused and made sure they accomplished that," said Gurnsey.

MacEwan remains on the road next weekend for a two-match set against the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon. Meanwhile, the Dinos will continue their season next weekend with a home-and-home series against the  Mount Royal University Cougars in the Crowchild Classic wrap-up for 2015-16. Friday's match takes place at MRU's Kenyon Court (8 p.m.), while Saturday's fixture is at the Jack Simpson Gym (4 p.m.).

-UC-