CALGARY – The University of Calgary Dinos women's volleyball team completed a weekend sweep over the UBC Okanagan Heat, winning 3-1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-18, 25-15) on Saturday at Jack Simpson Gymnasium.
Fridays and Saturday's back-to-back wins improved the Dinos record to 2-2 on the season, while UBCO drop to 2-2.
The first set followed this weekend's pattern of close games, with the two teams going back and forth during the opening set, but the Dinos closed it out to win it 25-22. Christine Abu's service ace delivered the final blow.
The Heat came back to win the second set 25-21, but the Dinos didn't let the tie sit for long. They returned for the third set with the same energy they started the match with, finishing the third 25-18.
The Dinos ultimately won the match by taking the fourth set 25-15. Abu continued to stand out, with 10 kills, four service aces and a match-high 18 points. After the game, she said the team will take the wins from this weekend to fuel what's ahead for the Dinos.
"We just proved to ourselves that we can compete, and we can fight very hard," Abu said. "I think that's just the momentum we need going into our next six-match marathon."
Abu hit .600 on the night, committing just one attack error on 15 swings.
Leni Blanke added 11 kills and hit .450, while Julia Tuckwood chipped in 12 kills and 10 digs. Anya Fehr dished out 32 assists and Evvia Belireau finished with nine digs.
Calgary served nine aces to UBCO's five and outhit the Heat .195 to .106, finishing with 49 kills to 30. UBCO also committed 19 service errors. The Heat held a 15-9 edge in blocks.
Marija Josipovic led UBCO with 12 kills, while Ali Rathlef added seven kills and hit .429.
The Dinos are back next weekend with another two-game series, this time against the Mount Royal Cougars. The Dinos will host the Cougars at Jack Simpson Gymnasium on Friday, Nov. 13 at 7:15 p.m. Tickets are available at GoDinos.com/Tickets.
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