CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos men's volleyball team, who opened this week ranked 10th in the U SPORTS Top 10 rankings, will welcome the UBC Okanagan Heat this week at Jack Simpson Gymas they close out the regular season. The Dinos will host the Heat on Friday at 7:30 p.m. for a Valentines Day game, and close out the weekend and regular season the following day at 3:30 p.m.

ABOUT LAST WEEKEND
The Dinos took the court in Winnipeg in a must win series against the Wesmen where they picked up a pair of wins across nine sets. Day 1 saw the Dinos come out of top through four sets of play as they Dinos dropped a single set to the Wesmen. The second day of action saw the Dinos dig deep to win it in five-sets (22-25, 25-22, 25-18, 19-25, 15-12). The Dinos were led on the weekend by fifth-year outside hitter Mac McNicol who posted 37 kills last weekend against the Wesmen.

PLAYOFFS ON THE HORIZON
After a must-win series last weekend, the Dinos have now punched their ticket to the playoffs, while their final position has yet to be determined. The Dinos are presently tied for fifth with Winnipeg, with their final position heading into the Canada West playoffs being determined this weekend – the Dinos, Wesmen and Saskatchewan Huskies will all be jostling for position this weekend.

DYNAMIC DUO
The Dinos will be looking to the dynamic duo of Mac McNicol and Hamish Hazelden to deliver some power as they take on UBCO. McNicol currently leads the team with 235 kills on the season and has been a force on the outside for the Dinos all season. Another key player for the Dinos will be Hamish Hazelden, who after suffering an injury in the fall has been back with a vengeance in the new year. Hazelden currently has 180 kills on the season. The Heat, who have struggled so far this season, will be looking to third-year Max Heppell to combat the Dinos power this weekend. 

SCOUTING REPORT
vs. UBC OKANAGAN HEAT
Game Info Friday, Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 15 at 3:30 p.m. - Jack Simpson Gym
Record 2-18, 11th in Canada West
Player to Watch  Max Heppell (173 kills)

• The Heat topped the Dinos in pre-season action this year (3-1)
• The Heat's lone two wins this season came against the Griffins earlier this month
• The Heat's regular season win against the Dinos was during the 2016-2017 season (December 2nd, 2016)
• Setter Denham O'Reilly and Middle Blocker Johnson Yi are the only graduating players from the Heat this season
• Denham O'Reilly is second in Canada West in digs per game this season (2.32 per game) and overall digs (153)

UP NEXT
The Dinos will be on the road for the first round of the Canada West playoffs next weekend, with their destination to be determined by results around the league this week.