CALGARY – The Jack Simpson Gym was buzzing Saturday night as the University of Calgary Dinos men's volleyball team battled to a hard-fought three-set sweep over the MacEwan Griffins (30-28, 25-18, 36-34) on Alumni Night. 

With former players watching from the stands, the Dinos delivered a performance that combined poise, pressure and persistence. Middle Luke Nodwell set the tone early, slamming down the first point of the match to ignite the crowd. Setter Zack Durant kept the offence flowing through the opening frame, distributing the ball efficiently and keeping the Griffins guessing with a mix of quick sets and well-timed feeds to the outside. 

Calgary carried that momentum into the second set, stepping up their service pressure and controlling the pace. First-year setter Matthew Brown brought the intensity, running a sharp offence and connecting well with his hitter to keep the Dinos rhythm. The team's aggressive serving forced the Griffins out of system and opened the door for several key blocks at the net as Calgary took the set 25-18.  

The third set proved to be the most thrilling of the night, featuring extended rallies, diving saves and several strong swings from both sides. Durant showed his quick decision making midway through the set, faking a set and dropping in a cheeky tip to earn Calgary's sixth point. From there, the teams traded points deep into extras, with every serve met by fierce defence and steady communication. After a long stretch of back-and-forth play, the Dinos finally sealed the win, 36-34, with their energy and consistency proving the difference. 

"We just need to keep our engagement high," said outside hitter Cole Czepuryk. "They're a strong team, but we know when we stay consistent, we can control the match." 

Czepuryk added that seeing younger teammates step up added to the excitement of the night. "It was great seeing Matthew Brown out there. He brought a ton of energy and really lit up the court." 

The Dinos will look to build on their strong weekend as they get on the road to take on the University of Manitoba Bisons on October 30. 

-UC-