U of A Pandas Volleyball take down Calgary Dinos to remain undefeated in ongoing conference season

The University of Alberta Pandas faced off against a familiar foe on Saturday night at the Saville Sports Centre in hopes of reinforcing their status as the number one team in the West Conference versus the University of Calgary Dinos.

The November 27 game started with an even exchange in points by both teams. This lasted until midway through the first set where the Pandas demonstrated why they sit first in the West Conference, by putting themselves well ahead in 15-8 fashion. The Dinos tried to answer back but they could not cut into the commanding lead. The Pandas did not waste any of the opportunities given to them and managed to capitalize on three errors from the Dinos which ultimately awarded them the first set, 25-13.

The second set was also all about the Pandas with the Dinos unable to respond to Alberta’s relentless attacks. The Pandas started strong with some active plays made by setter, Edan Wade who was all over the court and assisted her teammates 10 times during the set. Alberta used an 8-0 run to quickly take the lead 12-3 and they did not look back — finishing the set with a 4-0 run to seal the set 25-8.

Alberta managed to get an early 10-5 lead in the third set, giving the impression to everyone at Saville of an easy 3-0 win. However, the Dinos did not want to make it easy for them and pushed the Pandas to commit errors that were converted into points that gave the Dinos life in the set. Following an attacking error made by Wade, the Dinos cut the lead to only three points forcing Alberta to take a time out. After the time out, a kill by Calgary’s outside hitter Regan Ingram got the Dinos even closer, putting the score to 22-20. 

The Pandas then answered back, forcing an attacking error by Ingram and a kill from outside hitter Lauryn Tremblay that got the game to match point. A kill by Dinos’s Carolyn Berze put pressure on the Pandas but it was followed by a service error made by Ingram, thus dispelling the Dinos’s hopes of a comeback and giving the Pandas the set and the game.

Wade finished the game with 27 assists, outside hitter Kory White came up with eight kills, libero Jenae Eisler with 10 digs, and middle blocker Meghan John had three blocks. The Pandas now have an impressive 6-0 record, sitting first in the West Conference. 

Pandas coach Laurie Eisler is now the coach with the most wins in the West Conference in U of A history, holding an impressive 420-154 record, surpassing Golden Bears volleyball coach Terry Danyluk (416), who is now enjoying a well-deserved retirement. 

The U of A Pandas are back in action December 3 – 4 to take on the MacEwan Griffins, who sit last in the West Conference with a 0-6 record, to try to continue their impressive streak.