WINNIPEG – First-year outside Will Kay racked up a career-high 19 kills to go with three blocks by the University of Calgary Dinos fell just short in a 3-1 loss to Winnipeg Friday night from the Duckworth Centre.

The men's volleyball team overcame a slow start and nearly pulled off the comeback win before fall, 14-25, 28-30, 25-18, 18-25.

In addition to the big night from Kay, Erik Godwin finished with 11 kills while hitting .310 to go with seven digs in this one. Cole Czepuryk tallied a double-double with 10 kills and 11 digs.

Zack Durrant finished with 35 assists in the four setter.

Three Wesmen finished in double figures in kills in this one, with Luke Lodewyks leading the way with 15 despite the Dinos holding him to a .189 hitting clip. 

After a convincing first-set win by the Wesmen, the Dinos roared back in the second. A kill by Cam Hutt and an ace from Will Kay helped Calgary jump out to an early lead. Kay and Erik Godwin both had a number of key kills late as this one went deep into extras where Winnipeg was able to pull it out, 30-28.

The Dinos were dominant in set three. A pair of kills from Cole Czepuryk created some early separation before a pair of blocks from Luke Nodwell and Kay helped spark a 5-0 to put Calgary ahead 22-17. Hutt closed things out with a kill to open the door with a set win.

In the fourth, things were tight early as the two teams were tied at 12-all early. A 5-1 run by Winnipeg created the separation that proved to be the difference. The Dinos would fight the whole way, pulling back to within one multiple times before the home team closed out the four-set win.

The two teams are right back at it Saturday with a 4 p.m. MT rematch.

-UC-