Following last Saturday’s four-set victory over the Capilano Blues to open the PACWEST regular season, University of the Fraser Valley men’s volleyball coach Kyle Donen bemoaned his team’s struggles to close out sets efficiently.
The Cascades (2-0) rectified that situation on Thursday, defeating the Columbia Bible College Bearcats in three straight sets (25-19, 25-19, 25-18) at Columbia Place, demonstrating a finishing instinct that Donen felt they had lacked against the Blues.
The Cascades’ Nick Bruce had a strong outing against the CBC Bearcats on Thursday. (UFV Cascades file photo)
The two programs lock horns again on Friday, this time at UFV’s Envision Athletic Centre (women 6 p.m., men 8 p.m.).
“I liked that we improved on what we needed to,” Donen said afterward. “Last week we struggled to close out sets, but it was different tonight. All three sets, we pretty much got it done on the first (set) point, except the last one. I was impressed with how we rebounded that way from last week, and how we performed in an environment like that. It was a fun crowd to play in front of.”
Fifth-year right side Joel Kleingeltink led a balanced UFV attack with eight kills, and left side Nick Bruce had a sparkling all-around performance, particularly at the service line and on defence.
Donen said his squad is looking forward to the rematch at home.
“I’m hoping for a good-sized crowd again like we had against Cap,” he said. “We’re excited to bring the rivalry back to our gym, especially after a win.”
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