CALGARY – The 2018 Canada West University of Calgary Dinos women's volleyball team will begin their title defence this weekend as the 2018-19 Canada West campaign gets underway at home.

The Dinos will host the Thompson Rivers WolfPack at the Jack Simpson Gym. The home opener is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, while Banner Night is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20. 

FLASHBACK
As part of Banner Night, the Dinos will celebrate last year's conference championship and the senior members of that squad. The 2017-18 Dinos went 21-3 during the regular season before defeating the Mount Royal Cougars, Alberta Pandas, and UBC Thunderbirds in the Canada West Playoffs. Calgary finished fourth at the U SPORTS Championships in Quebec City, dropping their semifinal matchup against the eventual champions, the Ryerson Rams, and their bronze medal match versus UBC.

VETERAN LEADERSHIP
Even with four players graduating from the program last season, the Dinos will have a wealth of experience to rely on during the 2018-19 season. Leah Shevkenek is the lone fifth-year athlete on the roster, but is supported by seven fourth-year players, including first team All-Canadians Kate Pexman and Beth Vinnell. In addition to her All-Canadian honours, Pexman is also the reigning Canada West Player of the Year after leading the conference with 3.90 kills per set, while ranking 10th in total kills with 273 despite missing six games.

BATTLE OF ALBERTA
The Dinos would like nothing more this year than another successful regular season and to earn another trip to the U SPORTS National Championship, which will take place in Edmonton, AB in 2019. The Alberta Pandas were picked as favourites by the conference's women's volleyball coaches, while Calgary came second in the annual pre-season coaches poll. Alberta received five first-place votes, while Calgary was given four, but the two teams were only separated by a single point. 

SCOUTING REPORT
vs THOMPSON RIVERS WOLFPACK
Game Info Friday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 20 at 4 p.m. – Jack Simpson Gym
2017-18 Record 7-17, 11th in Canada West
Player to Watch: Yevgeniya Nyukhalova, OH, led Canada West in total kills with 352


NOTES

• The WolfPack hosted both games against the Dinos last season from Jan. 26-27, only winning one set in a Calgary sweep.
• This is Thompson Rivers' first trip to Calgary since Jan. 5-6, 2017 when they split a two-game set.
• The Dinos beat TRU 3-2 in a preseason game in Edmonton on Sept. 15.
• Setter Anastasiya Muzyka was a member of the Canada West All-Rookie Team in 2017-18.
• Third-year setter Abby Spratt is the lone Calgarian on the WolfPack roster.

UP NEXT
Following their opening weekend contests, the Dinos won't see action again until Nov. 2 and 3 when they host the Regina Cougars at the Jack Simpson Gym

-UC-