CALGARY – The University of Calgary women's volleyball team is ready to hit the court for their first regular-season game in 19 months. The first serve on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. game on Saturday in a doubleheader matchup against the Mount Royal University Cougars at Jack Simpson Gym.

BACK IN ACTION
Dinos women's volleyball finally returns to action Friday evening, after seeing the final matches of their 2019-20 season – the hosting of the U SPORTS Women's Volleyball Championship – cancelled in March 2020. Nationals will return to Jack Simpson Gym, as U SPORTS announced that Calgary has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2022 national championship.

CROWCHILD CLASSIC
It's only fitting that the first meeting of the season will take place between crosstown rivals. The Dinos and Cougars haven't seen each other since Jan. 24, 2020, where Mount Royal took home a 3-1 win. Calgary has an 18-8 overall record against Mount Royal and will look to open their season with a win in the 27th meeting between the two teams since the Cougars joined Canada West.

A YOUNG GROUP UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP
Head coach Christine Biggs became the ninth head coach in Dinos women's volleyball history in January 2021. With 10 first-year players and five second-year players on this year's squad, Biggs will look to shape this young team into seasoned contenders prepared to host nationals. So far, their youth hasn't been a detriment. With the veteran presence of Kenzie Vaandering on the floor, this young group has shown some early promise, as the Dinos have won seven of their nine pre-season games.

SCOUTING REPORT
vs. MOUNT ROYAL
Game Info: Friday, Nov. 5 at 6 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
2019-2020: Record 25-6, 2nd in Canada West
Player to Watch: Fourth-year Quinn Pelland led the Cougars with 334 digs and 1094 assists in the 2019-20 season

NOTES

• Calgary isn't the only team with a new face at the helm. Shane Smith was hired as the interim head coach for Mount Royal in August of this year.
• The Dinos and Cougars will play each other six times this season – three matches in each team's home gym.
• The Cougars currently have a three-game winning streak against the Dinos, coming off a nine-match run by Calgary over its crosstown rival.

 
UP NEXT
The Dinos women's volleyball team will continue their homestand next weekend by hosting a doubleheader against the MacEwan Griffins at Jack Simpson Gym.

-UC-