CALGARY – The playoff edition of the Crowchild Classic men's volleyball will need a winner-take-all Game 3.

The University of Calgary Dinos defeated the Mount Royal Cougars 3-2 (25-18, 25-20, 19-25, 21-25, 15-9) in Game 2 of their Canada West play-in series Friday night at Kenyon Court.

After dropping the series opener, Calgary delivered a well-rounded performance in the first two sets before Mount Royal responded by forcing a fifth. The Dinos closed it out in the fifth to extend their season.

One night after rookie Kale Orr recorded 22 kills, Mount Royal leaned on veterans Cody Hudson and Isaac Karstad to push the match the distance. Calgary's depth proved decisive. First-year outside hitter Will Kay totalled 17 kills, including six in the fifth set.

Calgary set the tone early in the opening frame. A pair of big blocks helped the visitors grab control, and they maintained pressure throughout. Mount Royal cut into the lead midway through the set, but Cole Czepuryk took over late, recording five kills down the stretch to close out the first.

The second set was much tighter. With the score tied 13-13, Ethan Czepuryk shifted the momentum. The older brother stepped to the service line and delivered two aces during a key run that pushed Calgary ahead 18-13. Mount Royal responded but could not erase the deficit as the Dinos secured a two-set advantage.

The Cougars regrouped in the third and fourth. Mount Royal hit over .300 in both sets and reduced its errors. Hudson and Karstad were central to the turnaround, while rookies Kai Toney and Orr added timely points as the home side evened the match.

In the fifth, Calgary struck first. With fifth-year outside hitter Erik Godwin serving, the Dinos jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Mount Royal worked back to within one, but Kay took control late. The Australian rookie delivered multiple kills in the closing stretch to seal the 15-9 win.

Calgary spread its offence effectively. In addition to Kay's 17 kills, Cole Czepuryk added 13, and Godwin recorded 12 while hitting .312. Ethan Czepuryk and Godwin also contributed four aces each on a strong service night by the Dinos.

Hudson led Mount Royal with 17 kills on an efficient .714 hitting percentage.

Game 3 of the Canada West play-in series goes Saturday at Kenyon Court, with first serve set for 7 p.m.

-UC-