CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men's volleyball team will be back in action this weekend as the take on the Mount Royal Cougars in Crowchild Classic action. The Dinos look to continue their three-game win streak and topple their crosstown rival as they take to the court on Thursday, Jan. 23 (12:30 p.m.) and Friday, Jan. 24 (7:30 p.m.) at Jack Simpson Gym.

ABOUT LAST WEEKEND
The Dinos played their first home games on 2020 last weekend as they hosted the high-flying Brandon Bobcats. The Dinos swept the Bobcats on the weekend (3-0, 3-1) to move up two places in the Canada West standings where they now sit in sixth. The Dinos were guided by fourth-year Hamish Hazelden who finished the weekend with a team high 38 kills as they swept the then-third ranked Bobcats. Calgary moved to No. 10 in the national rankings as a result.

THE HISTORY BOOKS
The Dinos once again face off against their crosstown rival in the Crowchild Classic. After falling to the Cougars last year at Kenyon Court, the Dinos will be looking to make use of their home court advantage to topple their crosstown rival. The home court advantage will be key for the Dinos as they have historically done better at home (6-2). The Cougars fell short in two matchups against the Dinos during the pre-season this year, and while the Dinos have a 13-9 record against the Cougars overall, the teams always play tightly-contested matches.

QUOTABLE
"We're pretty excited, we have a lot of friends on the other team so it should be a good game," said third-year Tom Sorra looking forward to a pair of exciting matchups against the Cougars this week. 

SCOUTING REPORT
vs MOUNT ROYAL COUGARS
Match Info Thursday, Jan. 23, 12:30 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 24, 7:30 p.m. – Jack Simpson Gym
Record 6-10, 9th in Canada West
Player to Watch Rookie middle Jace Timmer led the Cougars in blocks last weekend with 10 over two games

• The Cougars have a 7-7 conference record against the Dinos since joining Canada West in 2012
• The Cougars made their first national championship appearance last season, finishing sixth 
• After a record season last year, the Cougars saw significant turnover and lost six players 
• Fifth-year Trent Mounter is fifth in Canada West with 185 kills so far on the season
• Coach Greg Barthel joined the Cougars this season after 12 seasons with Regina

UP NEXT
The Dinos are back on the road next weekend as they take on the Alberta Golden Bears on Jan. 31 and Feb 1 .at the Saville Community Sports Centre in Edmonton. The Cougars return home to host the Saskatchewan Huskies next weekend at Kenyon Court.