CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men's volleyball team will play its first home game of the new decade as they take on the Brandon Bobcats at Jack Simpson Gym this weekend. The Dinos look to take down the second-place Bobcats after a bye week saw the team soak up some sun south of the border. 

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR
The Dinos took to the court for the first time in 2020 against the University of Manitoba Bisons two weekends ago in Winnipeg, earning a weekend split. After falling in their first matchup against the Bisons it was outside hitter Mac McNicol who led the Dinos on day two with 18 kills. After the split, the Dinos sit in eight in Canada West with a 6-6 record. 

DINOS IN TOUGH
The Dinos are in tough with the Bobcats coming into the weekend having won their past five matchups against the Dinos and sitting No. 3 in the national Top 10 rankings. Taking advantage of playing at home will be important as the Dinos look to win their first game against the Bobcats since a five-set win during the 2017-18 season. 

KEY PLAYERS
While the Dinos will need to be in top shape across their entire roster, outside hitters Mac McNicol and Liam Kuppe will play a key role as the team hosts the Bobcats this weekend. After a strong performance against the Bisons last weekend, McNicol remains atop the Dinos roster with 121 kills so far this season. Third-year Liam Kuppe will also be key for the Dinos having posted 95 kills this season. On the Bobcats side, Elliott Viles and Robin Baghdady lead the way with 155 and 133 kills respectively. 

SCOUTING REPORT
vs BRANDON BOBCATS
Match Info  Friday, Jan. 17 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 18 at 5:30 p.m. – Jack Simpson Gym
Record  11-3, 2nd in Canada West
Player to Watch  Seth Friesen averages 2.78 kills per set and was honoured as a U SPORTS Top 8 Academic All-Canadian earlier this month

• The Bobcats were ranked third in the most recent U SPORTS Top 10 rankings
• The Bobcats come into the weekend having lost their two most recent matchups
• Robin Baghdady is currently second in Canada West with a .387 hitting percentage
• Both Robin Baghdady and Seth Friesen were out last weekend for the Bobcats due to upper body injuries

UP NEXT 
The Dinos will host the Mount Royal University Cougars next week as part of the Crowchild Classic for a home-and-home matchup on Jan. 23 at 12:30 p.m. and Jan. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at Jack Simpson Gym.