WINNIPEG – Outside hitter Kenzie Vaandering had a day to remember at the service line, recording six aces as the Calgary Dinos (3-10) topped the Manitoba Bisons (2-11) 3-1 in a tightly contested match at Investors Group Athletic Centre on Friday night (25-16, 21-25, 26-24, 27-25).
"We always emphasize serving really tough, it's a big part of our game," Vaandering said postgame.
"Today it just kind of went in our favour. We used good practice at serve-pass this morning because every gym is pretty different."
Four different Dinos also had at least ten kills, while the Bisons were paced by left side Kearley Abbott's 11 while middle Jaidyn Spencer and right side Laura Hill both had ten.
Calgary opened up a 13-4 lead early in the first set and didn't trail the rest of the way, winning 25-16.
The visitors capitalized on Vaandering's three service aces, while veteran middle Beth Vinnell had four kills on five total attacks.
Manitoba was able to cut the Dinos' lead down to two shortly after the technical timeout, thanks in large part to setter Kelsey Jordan's five assists, three total blocks and a kill, but errors down the stretch helped Calgary come out on top.
After failing to net a kill on eight attempts in the first set, Bisons Abbott came alive in the second, recording five as Manitoba tied things up at one after battling back from a 20-18 deficit. Spencer added five kills on six attacks through two.
The Dinos continued to be paced by Vinnell — who had six kills entering the third set. She and outside hitter Trinity Solecki had a total of 32 attacks, however the Bisons kept things level with 12 assisted blocks — four from middle Allison Alcock — and two solo blocks.
Manitoba went on a seven-point run down 24-17 in the third set, but couldn't complete the comeback as Calgary flushed back-to-back points.
The visitor's ability to win multiple long rallies was critical, while outside hitter Adriel Goodman, Vinnell and fellow impact middle Autumn Davidson combined for eight kills each. The Bisons continued to get a consistent game from Spencer, who had ten kills and a .562 hitting percentage.
The fourth set went down to the wire as well, with both sides keeping the contest alive late. In fitting fashion, Vaandering closed the game out with two service aces in the final four points en route to a 27-25 win. Manitoba on the other hand, struggled to maintain momentum after getting multiple side outs.
"Obviously I like the fact that we fought and competed," Bisons head coach Ken Bentley said postgame.
"At the end of the day, we need to be better with the ball and we need to make serves. That was really important in the fourth set. It doesn't matter who we play, that's been something that we've just got to be better at."
Both teams will be back at it tomorrow night.
