CALGARY – Coming off a weekend sweep of their provincial rivals, the University of Calgary Dinos men's volleyball was unable to carry that momentum into a matchup versus the top team in U SPORTS.

The Dinos fell 3-1 to the No. 1 UBC Thunderbirds (16-25, 20-25, 17-25, 14-25) on Friday night at the Jack Simpson Gym to open the weekend set.

Calgary showed brief stretches of momentum but struggled to contain UBC's offence, as the visitors controlled three of the four sets.

"We just didn't bring the same energy as we did last weekend," said first-year outside hitter Jackson Vandersteen. "We need to come back tomorrow with more intensity and keep our chins up."

The Dinos finished the night with 38 kills on 120 total attacks for a .117 hitting percentage. UBC recorded 47 kills and hit .259, while also holding the edge in assists, 46–37.

Erik Godwin led Calgary with 10 kills, while Cole Czepuryk added eight. Will Kay provided a lift later in the match, finishing with a .360 hitting percentage.

Calgary product Reeve Gingera paced the Thunderbirds with 14 kills, while Alex Borowski added 10 kills on a .333 hitting percentage.

UBC took control early, opening the match with a 25–16 win in the first set. The Thunderbirds created separation midway through the frame and maintained their advantage to establish momentum.

Calgary responded with energy in the second set. Godwin opened the frame with a finish down the line, followed by a block and a kill from Czepuryk as the Dinos jumped out to an early lead. Emil Olsen was steady defensively, extending rallies, while Vandersteen added momentum with back-to-back blocks. UBC closed the gap late, and a kill from Alex Emery brought the Thunderbirds within one before they closed out the set 25–20.

The Dinos found their rhythm in the third set. An early point from middle Luke Nodwell helped Calgary gain control, while a cross-court finish from Kay and a well-placed touch by Zach Durrant kept the Dinos ahead. Olsen anchored the defence with several key saves as Calgary reached set point first to claim the frame 25–17.

Both teams traded points early in the fourth set, but UBC pulled away midway through the frame. Gingera sparked the offence, and a point from Borowski helped build separation as the Thunderbirds closed out the match with a 25–14 win.

The Dinos return to the Jack Simpson Gym on Saturday for a rematch with the Thunderbirds. First serve is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.

-UC-