CALGARY – The University of Calgary men's volleyball team will kick off its regular season this weekend in the home opener against the visiting Thompson Rivers University WolfPack at the Jack Simpson Gym.

The home opener will take place on Friday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m., followed by a rematch at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

NEW FACES
The Dinos will welcome three new recruits to the court this weekend in Gavin Taylor, Hamish Hazelden and Juan Becerra.

Taylor, in his fifth year of eligibility, made the transfer to the Dinos from Western University. In his final campaign at Western, the Brampton, Ont. product registered 36 digs, 88 kills and three aces as an outside hitter.

Hazelden, transferring from Red Deer College will enter his third year of eligibility with the Dinos. The native of Esperance, Australia posted 45 digs, 127 kills and five aces for the Kings last season.

Becerra, a Calgary native, will enter his fourth year of eligibility, previously playing for the SAIT Trojans. The middle blocker only played in three matches last season, notching seven digs, 17 kills and one ace. 

6s ALL AROUND
In the annual pre-season coaches' poll, the Dinos are ranked in the same spot where they finished last season, at sixth (67 total votes). Last season, the Dinos finished with a 14-10 regular season record, before being dispatched in the Canada West Quarter Finals, going 0-2 against Alberta.

THE BLOCK KING
The Dinos will be led by the middle blocker standout, Liam Laidlaw, who topped blocks per set in Canada West with 1.28 last season. The Calgary native also finished second with block assists (83) and third with total blocks (92).

SCOUTING REPORT
vs TRU WOLFPACK
Game Info: Friday, Oct. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 20 at 5:30 p.m. – Jack Simpson Gym
2017-18 record: 11-13, ranked 8th in pre-season coaches poll (63 total votes)
Player to watch: Tim Dobbert, OH, Led Canada West last season in Kills Per Set with 4.13


NOTES

• Last season, the WolfPack got the better of the Dinos, beating them twice back in January with consecutive 3-1 victories
• TRU was eliminated in Canada West quarter-final vs. Trinity Western with back-to-back 3-1 losses
• The WolfPack have five players from Alberta, including two Calgary natives, Kyle Taylor and Joshua Mullaney

UP NEXT
The Dinos will have next weekend off, before travelling to Saskatchewan to face the Huskies, Nov. 9-10, followed by another road trip to Manitoba to battle against the Brandon Bobcats, Nov. 16-17.

-UC-