The University of the Fraser Valley women’s volleyball team began their first road trip of the PacWest regular season in dominant fashion, beating the Vancouver Island University Mariners in three straight sets in Nanaimo on Friday.
The Cascades improved to a perfect 5-0 on the season, tied with the Camosun Chargers atop the conference. The defending league champion Mariners fell to 1-4.
The UFV victory (25-14, 25-23, 25-17) wasn’t built on eye-popping individual statistics – Katie Peacock and Emily Carroll tied for team-high honours with six kills apiece, a relatively modest team-leading total. But afterward, head coach Dennis Bokenfohr had high praise for the overall performance.
“The biggest complement I can give the girls is, it was our most complete team win,” he enthused. “Everyone stepped up, everyone was ready, everyone was keyed in. That’s a rare treat.”
Carroll added four blocks, while Nicole Blandford registered seven digs and Kierra Noot notched four aces.
The Cascades had technically played one road game already, but it was against their crosstown rival Columbia Bible College. Bokenfohr said his squad responded well to their first significant travel scenario.
“We definitely acknowledged the importance of playing well on the road, and the challenge of playing in their gym,” he said. “The veterans on our team showed their experience, and came very prepared tonight to play well.”
The Cascades and Mariners clash again on Saturday in Nanaimo, with the women playing at 1 p.m. followed by the men at 3 p.m.
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