CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos could not hold onto their set one energy as they fell in three sets to the MacEwan University Griffins (25-23, 25-17, 25-7) Saturday evening at the Jack Simpson Gym. 

Griffins McKenna Stevenson and Haley Gilfillan demonstrated why they are among the strongest middle pairings in the conference as they dominated the scoreboard with 11 kills each. On the Dinos end, Kenzie Vaandering and Trinity Solecki took charge of offence, wrapping up the night with nine kills apiece. From the middle, Autumn Davidson added three blocks and three kills to the mix. 

The Dinos squad came out with noticeable intensity, battling the Griffins in a point-for-point race to 25. Kenzie Vaandering brought the heat out of the outside, locating the holes in the Griffins' defence to come away with six kills in the first set. The Dinos held the Griffins to a .324 hitting percentage, but defensive errors in the last two points concluded the set 25-23. 
 
In the second set, the Dinos attackers struggled to work around the far-reaching blocks of the Griffins' front row. Scrappy coverage on blocked offence often resulted in the Dinos sending over free balls for the Griffins, allowing them to run whichever plays they pleased. Three blocks in a row from Haley Gilfillan ensued a big momentum shift for the Griffins, pushing them ahead to 14-13. Veteran Kennedy Snape hustled to bring life to the faltering defence, leading all players with 16 digs. However, this commanding defensive performance was not quite enough to stay in a position to win as the Griffins took over and clutched a 25-17 set win. 

A noticeable absence in the third set was reigning conference all-star Beth Vinnell. The Griffins used this to their advantage, continually scoring off a step attack that left Calgary's blockers off guard and back row unprepared. The Griffins then paralyzed the Dinos squad with an eight-point serving streak, eliminating Calgary's hopes of a comeback. Dominance from the serving line carried the Griffins to clinch a set three 25-7 win. 

After a weekend off, the Griffins (4-4) will return home to oppose the Brandon University Bobcats in the David Atkinson Gym. 

The Dinos (0-6) will regroup and head west to face the UBC Thunderbirds next weekend in the War Memorial Gym. 

-UC-