CALGARY - The University of Calgary Dinos men's volleyball team recovered from a straight sets loss Friday night with their own straight sets win over the Brandon University Bobcats (25-22, 25-21, 25-22) Saturday night at the Healthy Living Centre.
In a fast paced opening set where neither team held more than a three-point lead, it was the Dinos who came out on top. Curtis Stockton led Calgary's attack with seven kills, with Alex Bader adding another five kills. The key play of the set came late for the Dinos, when a poor pass into the net was somehow popped up by setter Alex Cook and smashed by Parker Siroishka to give them set point, 24-22. Calgary finished off the set on the next point as Stockton put up a strong block on Seth Freisen.
The second set was a continuation of the first as both teams failed to go on any extended runs. Unlike the opening set Calgary controlled the lead early and never relinquished it. Emotions started to dominate the play, and a taunt from Brandon player Matt Powell resulted in a yellow card. The Dinos continued to play their game but a small Brandon rally brought the game within one at 19-18 forcing a timeout by head coach Rod Durrant. Calgary then pulled away again finishing the set with a block, this time with Sean Martin and Alex Cook putting up a wall.
A two set to none lead gave the Dinos much needed confidence heading into the third. Once again both teams scrapped back and forth for any momentum, with each run being matched by the opposition. Calgary gained some ground in the middle of the set, heading into the technical timeout up 16-12. The Dinos went on a 7-3 run to distance further from the Bobcats, only to see Brandon go on a 6-1 run to bring it within two points. Curtis Stockton came through with his 21st kill of the match, ending the rally and the game.
After struggling Friday, the Dinos were much more efficient on the attack tonight with 49 kills to only 13 errors. Along with Stockton's 21, Calgary was led by Bader and Siroishka, with 10 kills apiece.
Coach Durrant had huge praise for the play of his starters post-game. "I thought our guys came prepared to battle tonight. We had a fantastic performance from a rookie, Parker Siroishka, coming off the bench for his first start and coming up with a 36% kill-attack efficiency. Also Curtis Stockton and Alex Bader did a great job on the outside for us tonight."
Durrant added how important playing with a lead was for his team tonight. "It gives the guys a little bit of confidence knowing that they have some room [for errors]. It also lets us focus on what we're doing on our side and we've been talking about that. Look at last night, we were always behind, and the team that is always trying to catch up they press and try to do too much."
With the win the Dinos improved their record to 2-4. They look to carry over the momentum against crosstown rivals MRU Thursday in the first game of the Crowchild Classic. Game time is 7:30 at the Jack Simpson Gym.
