Weekend update with the Dinos

By Randy Lewis

Coming off their triumphant Dino Cup performance, the University of Calgary men’s volleyball team carried that momentum into regular season play and is currently setting the Canada West division on fire. The Dinos proved to be horrible hosts to the two Saskatchewan universities over the past two weekends, sweeping them both in running their record to a perfect 8-0.

The fifth-ranked University of Saskatchewan Huskies visited the Jack Simpson Gym on Nov. 10, and were promptly handed a 3-1 loss by the third-ranked Dinos. Calgary was led by a solid effort from Dino Cup MVP Denis Zhukov, who contributed 19 kills, five digs and two service aces. A day later, the Dinos once again proved their superiority over the Huskies winning 3-0 in convincing fashion, while having a gaudy kill percentage of 42.5 as a team.

Last weekend, the U of C faced a lowly University of Regina squad who, coming into the matches, had taken only one game in their previous six matches. Friday night proved a walk in the park for the Dinos who dominated the court in all aspects of the game, taking the match 3-0. On Saturday evening, the Cougars came out with a little more energy and managed to steal a game from the Dinos. But fifth-year Bill Byma led the team with 18 kills, four digs and a service ace, and the U of C upped their record to 8-0 with a 3-1 win.

Next up for the U of C men is a first-place showdown in the Alberta capital this weekend against the 7-1 University of Alberta Golden Bears who, along with the Dinos, are ranked third in the nation.