By Jo Wynn
Talent
This team was as short on talent as the Stampede is on cowboys. Both of the team’s fifth-year players excelled this year. Natalie Schwartz led the Canada West conference in assists while Neda Boroumand was CW’s top digger. Schwartz was named a Canadian Interuniversity Sport Second-Team All-Canadian and CW First-Team All-Star. Earning CW Second-Team All-Star salutations was third-year Lauren Perry.
Effort
The team faced problems all year. While the team’s roster lists 13 players, they played with as few as eight during their season. Despite this blow, they managed a winning record heading into playoffs. They did have a free ride to the CIS Championship as hosts and, despite having just 10 healthy players, didn’t give up.
Coaching
Head coach Kevin Boyles has a long career with the Dinos. His strategies have been proven time and time again since he became the coach in 1999. Since then, he’s led the team to three CW titles and the 2004 national title. But his ties to the University of Calgary are much deeper than simply his coaching career. He played five years of varsity volleyball here in the late-1980s and early 1990s. His dedication earned him the team captain position and he continues to be dedicated to the Dinos today.
Achievement
These ladies deserve more credit than you can fit on your Visa Platinum card. Although it was nothing like last year’s undefeated season, the ladies fared well despite their injuries. They competed against Canada’s best teams at nationals and lost just one match to the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds. They secured the bronze against the Universite de Montreal Carabins in a five-game nail-biter.
Overall: A
Animal: Newfoundland Moose. A majestic animal that can overpower almost anything, but keeps getting hit by Newfie truck drivers.