CALGARY – Playing another epic five-set match against their crosstown rival, the University of Calgary Dinos picked up a Crowchild Classic series split Friday night, defeating the Mount Royal Cougars 3-2 (27-25, 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 15-8) at Jack Simpson Gymnasium.

The Cougars came out of the gate swinging to go up early against the Dinos and lead things 8-4. A five-point run by the Dinos, helped by three consecutive kills from fourth-year Hamish Hazelden, saw the home team take control away from the Cougars. With both teams pressing hard, it was the Dinos who finished off the long set thanks to an ace from fifth-year Mac McNicol. 

While set one saw the Cougars go up early the second set was an entirely different story as the teams went nearly point for point to tie things at 12-12. With both teams looking to build momentum it was the Cougars who took advantage of a nice setter middle connection to go up by four. The Dinos fought hard to come back the deficit however Trent Mounter once again bombarded the home team to help the Cougars take the set. Similarly, to the second set things got off to a slow start before the Cougars took their chance to pull ahead of the Dinos through the teens. With both teams hungry to take the set, the Cougars took advantage of two Dinos attack errors to close out the set 25-22. 

Ending up in a do or die fourth set, the Dinos once took control early and pressed hard against the Cougars strong front line, in a game that was reminiscent of yesterday's afternoon matchup. The Dinos entire lineup got in on the action as the team built a healthy lead over the Cougars. Not willing to give up the fight, the Cougars fought back to bring it within one before second-year Lincoln Baines closed out the set for the Dinos 25-23.

The fifth set saw the Dinos continue building on their momentum from the fourth. With the Dinos getting off to a blazing start thanks to Mac McNicol, the Cougars fought hard in a series of long rallies against the home team. With the drive to make amends for their five-set loss yesterday the Dinos sealed the deal against the Cougars to split the week.

Leading the way for the Dinos tonight was Mac McNicol and Hamish Hazelden who has 15 and 13 kills on the night, respectively. On the Cougars side, firth-year Chris Byam led the team with 15 kills.

The Dinos will be on the road again next week as they head North to take on the University of Alberta Golden Bears at Saville Community Sports Centre on Jan. 31st and Feb. 1st at 6:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The Cougars will be back at territory as they host the University of Saskatchewan Huskies next week.

-UC-