Men’s volleysaurs split the weekend against the T-Birds

By Albert Chieng

After two hard games against the University of Alberta Golden Bears last weekend, the Dinos men’s volleyball team looked poised to break out of their early season slump, hoping to beat up on the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds Nov. 15-16. They split the weekend, but still showed they are ready to compete in a talent-laden Canada West conference.


The first match was a back and forth affair, pushing both teams to find ways to win points. Every game won by the T-Birds was replied by the Dinos, sending the match to a fifth and deciding game. Eric von Engelbrechten was key to taking the Dinos that far, with his dominant offensive play. Although the T-Birds squeezed a close 15-13 win, UBC hardly looked like they were in control. The testament that would make any T-Bird fan wary was that even with a 14-10 lead they could not finish the Dinos who fought back with three unanswered points before losing.


With a close match the previous afternoon, the stage was set for a close and grueling battle between the two teams. This held true as the teams traded games all the way to a deciding fifth game.


Anchored on either side of the net, players Rob Ellis and Sean Kendall brought the pain, giving the Dinos the elusive kill factor to put down the T-Birds every time they reached for the brass ring.


History repeated in the War Memorial Gym as the T-Birds let three series sweeping points slip through their talons. This was the day of the Dino, as a block, followed by the game-winning kill courtesy of power hitter Scott Thomas, sealed the deal.


With a split in the series, the Dinos showed they possess fight and determination. Now the key is working on consistency and putting more matches into the win column.