CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men's volleyball team will take on the Trinity Western University Spartans in a two-game matchup on Nov. 28-29 at Jack Simpson Gymnasium.

After falling to the UBC Thunderbirds in straight sets two weeks ago the Dinos will be looking to come out strong against the U SPORTS top-ranked Spartans as they wrap up their fall semester.

ABOUT LAST WEEK...
The Dinos took to the court two weeks ago at War Memorial Gym in Vancouver against the UBC Thunderbirds. The T-Birds swept the Dinos on the weekend in straight sets as they extended their win streak to six games. With their pair of losses last weekend, the Dinos fall to 5-3 on the season and currently sit in fifth in the Canada West standings. The Dinos were led by outside hitters Mac McNicol and Liam Kuppe, who registered 15 and 14 kills apiece on the weekend.

"A GREAT TEST"
The Dinos are in tough against the Spartans who have won their past eight games in straight sets. Trinity Western poses a significant challenge for the Dinos who haven't won against the Spartans since the 2015-2016 season. The Dinos will be looking to make the most of their home court advantage as they try to keep the surging TWU Spartans at bay.

"This will be a great test for our development," said Coach Durrant as he looked forward to hosting the TWU Spartans.

KEY PLAYERS
While the Dinos will need be in top shape this weekend across the entire court, the dynamic duo of outside hitters Mac McNicol and Liam Kuppe will be key players for the Dinos. McNicol and Kuppe lead the Dinos in kills with 75 and 66 apiece respectively. On the Spartans side, four players currently have over 50 kills on the season with fitfth-year Jacob Kern and fourth-year Eric Loeppky leading the way with 75 and 74 kills each. 


SCOUTING REPORT
vs. TRINITY WESTERN SPARTANS
Match Info: Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29, 7:30 p.m., Jack Simpson Gym


NOTES

• The Spartans come into the weekend with a 24-set win streak 
• TWU are the reigning USports national champions  
• The Spartans haven't lost to the Dinos since the 2015-2016 season when the Dinos topped TWU twice at home
• The Spartans only loss so far this season came at the hands of the University of Alberta Golden Bears back in October
• Key players Jackson Howe and Eric Loeppky were both awarded All-Star team nods at last year's national championship

UP NEXT
The Dinos enter their holiday break following this weekend and will be back in action in the New Year as they travel to Winnipeg to take on the University of Manitoba Bisons on Jan. 3-4. 

-UC-