CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women's volleyball team returns home this weekend for a pair games against the Manitoba Bisons. The first game begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, followed by a 4 p.m. game on Saturday at the Jack Simpson Gym.
 
RECAP
The Dinos remained undefeated at 8-0, maintaining their No. 1 national ranking after defeating the Brandon Bobcats by scores of 3-0 and 3-1. The Bobcats offered a good test for the Dinos, taking early leads and pushing sets deep. Brandon resumes their season with a 2-6 record and head to Kelowna to face the UBC-Okanagan Heat.
 
PEXMAN CRACKS 1,000
Last weekend in Brandon, reigning Canada West MVP Kate Pexman became just the 12th player since the introduction of rally point scoring in 1999 to record 1,000 kills in Canada West play, moving into 11th spot on the all-time conference list with 1,022 in her career. She will likely move into the top 10 this weekend and is just 113 kills back of the school record of 1,135 set by Joanna Niemczewska (2001-05, 2006-07).
 
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Bisons and the Dinos will face each other for the first time this season. Hannah Tanasichuk earned Dinos Female Athlete of the Week honours for her work in Brandon and has accumulated 86 kills through eight games. She posted 14 kills in the team's previous game against Brandon. Manitoba's Laura Findlay has been having a great season, collecting 79 kills overall.
 
QUOTABLE
Holding a perfect record can become a burden for some teams, but veteran middle Beth Vinnell says the Dinos have come into games with a solid approach this season.
 
"We've done a good job of coming into matches comfortable and confident, not so comfortable that we're sitting back, but when we've been in trouble situations we don't let it get to our heads so we've just been able to push through those tough situations."
 
SCOUTING REPORT
vs. MANITOBA BISONS
Game Info Friday, Nov. 23 at 6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 24 at 4p.m. – Jack Simpson Gym
2018-19 Record 3-5, 8th in Canada West
Players to Watch Laura Findlay (79 kills), Josie Abbott (61 kills), Cassie Bugan (140 digs)
 
NOTES

• The Bisons are looking to rebound from back-to-back losses at home to the Alberta Pandas.
• Manitoba has one win in four road games.
• Libero Cassie Bujan is the only fifth-year player on the Bisons.
• Laura Findlay is the only player on the team with a hometown outside Manitoba.
• Manitoba reached the playoffs last season, only to be eliminated in the quater-finals by the UBCO Heat.

UP NEXT
Following the weekend home games, the Dinos will face their stiffest test of the season as they travel to Langley, B.C. for another weekend double-header against the similarly-undefeated Trinity Western Spartans on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.