The University of Calgary Dinos women’s volleyball team traded in four bronze medals for a silver medal at this year’s Canadian Interuniversity Sport championships in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
The Dinos lost to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds 3-2 (25-20, 22-25, 29-27, 20-25, 15-9) in the gold medal match on Saturday.
In the CIS quarterfinal last Thursday, the Dinos defeated the university of York Lions 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-21).
This win advanced the Dinos to the semi-final where they faced the number one team in the country– the University of Montreal Carabins.
In a very even contest Friday, the Dinos prevailed, beating the Carabins 3-2 (19-25, 25-13, 20-25, 27-25, 15-12).
In the first set against Montreal, Calgary lacked finish and determination, finding themselves down 20-11. They battled back, but ultimately lost the set.
The Dinos followed that up by handing the Carabins their worst set defeat of the season, beating them in every aspect of the game in the second set.
The teams traded wins in the third and fourth set, leaving the match to be decided by a winner-take-all final set.
The teams were even, but the Dinos prevailed, handing the Carabins their second loss of the year. The win set up the all-western final.
In the final, UBC jumped out to the early lead and handily took the first set.
The Dinos responded with a determined effort in the second set, tying the match at one set apiece.
The Dinos had a chance to take the third set, but leading 23-20, they allowed the Thunderbirds back into the game, ultimately losing.
This put the Dinos in a must win situation.
The Dinos responded and played for their lives in the fourth set. Every point was crucial and with this in mind, the Dinos were able to take down UBC and for the second match in a row, Calgary would be playing a decisive fifth set.
The Dinos, despite the valiant effort in the fourth set, came up short.
The Thunderbirds played almost perfect volleyball and showed why they were the best in the country.
UBC’s Kyla Richey played her best volleyball of the match, out battling Holly Harper to secure the win for the Thunderbirds.