CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos have been selected to host the national women's volleyball championship in March 2020, U SPORTS announced Tuesday.
The Dinos, the defending Canada West champions, will welcome the eight best teams in Canada to the Jack Simpson Gym March 13-15, 2020, marking the fifth time Calgary will play host to the event. The Dinos previously hosted in 1971, 1991, 2006, and 2007.
"We're thrilled that U SPORTS is trusting the University of Calgary with this event, and we know the city and the university will make this championship one to remember," said
Jason Kerswill, director of athletics. "We have a very strong volleyball community in Calgary and southern Alberta and are excited to showcase this great product for them. Together with support from Tourism Calgary, we look forward to providing an outstanding experience for student-athletes from across Canada."
The event will extend the Dinos' significant tradition of hosting national championships, dating back to the early days of UCalgary's autonomy when men's basketball came to campus in 1966. The U SPORTS wrestling championships are coming to the Red Gym in February 2019.
The Dinos' two All-Canadians, outside hitter
Kate Pexman and middle
Beth Vinnell, will close out their university careers on their home floor as they wrap up their five years of eligibility in 2019-20.
"I had the opportunity to play the last match of my career in the national championship at home, and this will be the perfect sendoff for Kate and Beth after their outstanding careers," said Dinos Head Coach
Natalie Gurnsey, who starred as Calgary's setter from 2001-06 and played in the 2006 championship in the Jack Simpson Gym. "Our whole team is excited to bring this championship to Calgary, and we can't wait to put on a show for our fans and the volleyball community."
Other U SPORTS championships awarded Tuesday included women's rugby (Ottawa 2019, Queen's 2020), women's soccer (Victoria 2019, Cape Breton 2020), men's soccer (Montreal 2019, Carleton 2020), and men's volleyball (Manitoba 2020, Brandon 2021). UBC was awarded the 2021 women's volleyball event.
The 2019 U SPORTS women's volleyball championship will be hosted by the University of Alberta in Edmonton. The Dinos are 10-2 and ranked No. 2 in Canada at the mid-way point of the season and will return to action in the new year when they head to Kelowna to face UBC Okanagan Jan. 4-5, 2019.
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