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![\"BROOK](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/4002721_web1_BJ-02212025WomensVolleyballUWWesmenVsUCDinos06.jpg\")
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BROOK JONES\/FREE PRESS<\/p>\n
University of Winnipeg Wesmen left side Brooke Duncalfe<\/p>\n
The bounce back was emphatic. The Wesmen cruised for stretches on this night, but more importantly, it was what they did any time the momentum hung in the balance \u2014 they grabbed it back in an instant.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were better today because of what we went through yesterday, and that\u2019s a learning experience for everybody to have to go through that,\u201d head coach Phil Hudson said of his team, which is led by many first-time starters. \u201cYou can talk about the pressure. You can talk about being in games that are so close \u2014 like set four and set five last night \u2014 but until you actually go through it and experience it first-hand, it was a great feeling for the girls tonight to be able to handle the pressure and stress.\u201d<\/p>\n
That was no clearer example than in the final set of Game 3. The Wesmen built an early lead only for the Dinos to tie the frame at 10-10. The sides exchanged points, taking the lead momentarily only for the score to be knotted back up again through 14-14.<\/p>\n
Winnipeg finally broke through, scoring 11 of the next 13 points to secure the victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s volleyball. Momentum is a massive thing,\u201d said third-year outside Megan Kendziora, whose six kills and five digs were modest in comparison to her actual impact on the court. \u201cI think we saw that in our third set a little bit. We had a lead, then we started to die down. But (Friday\u2019s) match really showed us where we need to utilize our strengths when we\u2019re in a bit of a rut, and how to get out of it a bit faster. So I think that definitely helped a lot and secured us a 3-0 win tonight.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brooke Duncalfe, who got out of the gates fast with eight kills in the opening set, finished with 15 kills to lead all players. Grace Vallis chipped in with another eight kills, while setter Naomi Unger delivered a game-high 30 assists.<\/p>\n
Dinos\u2019 talented second-year outside hitter Sophia Hansen was the only visiting player to record more than five kills, as the Calgary offence was forced out of system for most of the match. Hansen finished with 14 kills.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt looked like the team that was going after it got it,\u201d said an emotional Calgary head coach Christine Biggs, who is also heading an up-and-coming group of players.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there were like moments of compete from both, but I think, yeah, Wesman, congrats on showing up for every point like they wanted it bad.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hudson said he could sense that his team would be ready for the challenge during the pre-game meetings and warm-ups.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a great feeling for the girls tonight to be able to handle the pressure and stress\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was a sense of compete,\u201d he said. \u201cThey really wanted to play well, and it\u2019s just not going to happen by chance. They have to force the issue. I sort of felt that they were ready to go. At the same time, I found they were way more relaxed tonight \u2014 mentally relaxed, confident going in. Just watching them in warm-up, and watching their body language after a rally didn\u2019t go our way, how they handled that, there was more positive body language today, which was a sign of confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
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The Wesmen will play in the conference quarterfinals for the third time in four years and, for the second year in a row, against the Alberta Pandas. Game 1 of the best-of-three series goes Thursday, Feb. 26.<\/p>\n
Last year\u2019s meeting against the Pandas didn\u2019t go as Winnipeg had hoped \u2014 the Wesmen won one set while being swept in the series \u2014 but there is a belief that this team is more equipped to handle the top seed and reigning conference champs.<\/p>\n
\u201cDefintley, going in there is more confidence, especially, I would argue that having lost a game in our best-of-three series, that just shows us obviously we\u2019re not invincible \u2014 we have our weaknesses \u2014 but now we witnessed that in a playoff setting, and we have that to rely on, where Alberta doesn\u2019t at the moment,\u201d said Kendziora.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we know what it\u2019s like to lose a playoff match right now, but how to come back and really focus on our strengths and get out of ruts a lot sooner, and what parts of our games that we need to play against them.\u201d<\/p>\n
winnipegfreepress.com\/joshuafreysam<\/p>\n
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Joshua Frey-Sam Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber<\/a>.<\/p>\n Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.<\/p>\n \t\t
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