Abbotsford, BC…The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s volleyball team defeated the VIU Mariners, 3-2, at the Envision Athletic Centre in the fourth and final regular season match between the CCAA top two teams. The Cascades, ranked nationally one improve their PACWEST conference record to 18-2, while VIU’s record drops to 17-3, one game behind UFV with four matches remaining. The set scores were 25-23, 25-15, 16-25, 19-25 and 15-11. Both teams won two games in the four game series this year.
The Cascades came out strong this afternoon shaking off their 3-1 loss to VIU last night and quickly establishing that this afternoon would be different from last night’s start. The Cascades were led by fifth year veteran All-Canadian Kayla Bruce, Surrey, BC and fifth year captain Brittany Stewart, Langley, BC who’s leadership help UFV start off by winning the first five points of the opening set. UFV would not let VIU settle into the match winning every battle under the net and stealing several points with brilliant shots by Jenna Evans, Abbotsford, BC and Bruce. While the set did go the distance as UFV won it 25-23 it seemed like they were in control the entire time.
UFV continued to dominate in the second set winning the battle by the net. VIU continued to struggle in the set with several straight bad serves giving UFV four straight points midway through the set, that broke the score wide open as UFV would win set two 25-15.
In the third and fourth sets VIU came alive and showed why they are ranked 2nd in the CCAA nationally, their composure came back and they played as close to flawless volleyball for the middle two sets. While the Cascades continued to play great especially around the net, the Mariners would go onto win the third set 25-16 and the fourth, 25-19.
Cue the fifth and deciding set which was even until midway through the set, tied at 8 each, the Cascades Kira Tome, Surrey, BC was a serving machine as she recorded five straight Cascades points to blow open the fifth set and send VIU home with a 15-11 loss in the deciding frame.
“I am very happy for the team. We played well and showed that we have a balanced line up,” said UFV head coach Dennis Bokenfohr. “Our flexibility with the team is great we can count on anyone on the roster to contribute to our success.” “It is a great feeling to defend our number one ranking in the CCAA “polls.”
UFV has four PACWEST Regular season matches remaining three at home against COTR Avalanche and CBC Bearcats and one on the road at CBC. The Cascades 2011-12 PACWEST record was the programs best at 20-4, with those four remaining matches the team could establish a new school high for wins in a regular season.
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