CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos will look to rebound from a difficult road trip to Brandon, MB when they make to their return to the Jack Simpson Gym to face another team attempting to turn their season around.
The Dinos and Manitoba Bisons begin their weekend set on Friday night at 7:30 p.m., followed by a 5:30 p.m. rematch on Saturday.
HOME SWEET HOME
The Dinos were fortunate enough to begin their Canada West campaign at home on Nov. 19-20, but due two bye weeks and back-to-back weekends on the road, those are the only games they have played on their home court. The Dinos will not have a chance to get comfortable at the Jack Simpson Gym. After this weekend's games, Calgary will play seven consecutive road contests, including a non-conference tournament in Kamloops.
LAID DOWN THE LAW
Third-year middle
Liam Laidlaw is off to a hot start in 2018-19. Laidlaw is averaging 1.24 blocks per set, which ranks fourth in Canada West. Those numbers are a slight improvement on last season where he averaged 1.22 blocks per set. Manitoba's Brendan Warren leads the conference in total blocks with 43 and blocks per set at 1.34.
VETERAN LEADERSHIP
Despite a tough two-week stretch for the Dinos, the team can rely on a roster full of experience to work through their struggles.
Liam Laidlaw,
Tim Taylor,
Mitchell Higgin, and
Derek Meeuwisse have all played at least 20 sets to lead the team so far and all four of them are in at least their third year of eligibility. Calgary has three fifth-year players this season with
Blain Cranston,
Matt Hood, and Meeuwisse.
SCOUTING REPORT
vs MANITOBA BISONS
Game Info Friday, Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 24 at 5:30 p.m. – Jack Simpson Gym
2018-19 Record 2-4, 9th in Canada West
Player to Watch Kevin Negus, RS, fourth in Canada West with 3.81 kills per set; fifth in service aces per set at 0.48
NOTES
- The Bisons have lost their last three games, including back-to-back at home to the Alberta Golden Bears.
- Despite holding a 3-5 record, Manitoba has a 15-17 record in sets this season.
- The Dinos defeats the Bisons in both games last season at the Jack Simpson Gym.
- 13 of the 15 players on the Manitoba roster are in their first or second years of eligibility
- Manitoba made the playoffs last season but was eliminated in two games by the UBC Thunderbirds.
UP NEXT
The Dinos close out the unofficial first half of the Canada West season next weekend when they travel to Langley, BC to face the Trinity Western Spartans on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.
