The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women’s volleyball completed the program’s best-ever season in Canada West and they have been rewarded with a trip to Winnipeg.
The women finished with a sparkling record of 18-6, but that was only good enough for fifth place and now have a date in round one of the playoffs with the also 18-6 Winnipeg Wesmen.
The best-of-three series opens on Friday (Feb. 24) at 5 p.m. Game two is set for Saturday (Feb. 25) at 3 p.m. and game three, if necessary, goes on Sunday (Feb. 26) at 11 a.m.
The two teams met twice in Winnipeg on Nov. 18 and 19, with the Cascades winning both games 3-1.
WVB FINAL | Mo Likness with the block to end the match!
— UFV Cascades (@UFVCascades) February 18, 2023
Cascades pick up the 3-0 sweep!#weclimbweconquer pic.twitter.com/l9n0Trq7D3
The women concluded the regular season with a pair of 3-0 wins over the Regina Cougars in Abbotsford on Friday (Feb. 17) and Saturday (Feb. 18).
Gabrielle Attieh led UFV to victory on Friday, collecting 16 kills, four blocks and 10 digs, while Cailin Bitter added 39 assists and Emily Matsui contributed with 12 digs.
🏔🎥 | Hear from Cascades setter Cailin Bitter on the UFV offence, a solid season so far, and thoughts on a possible home playoff match after tonight’s three-set win.#weclimbweconquer pic.twitter.com/CWOU7jZ2xx
— UFV Cascades (@UFVCascades) February 18, 2023
It was more of the same on Saturday, with Attieh recording 20 kills, 10 digs and two aces. Bitter picked up 30 assists and Matsui had a team-high 19 digs.
Bitter, an MEI grad, stated that the team is prepared for the postseason.
“Our team has three A’s – it’s anytime, anyone, anyplace, so we’re ready to go wherever for playoffs whether it’s here or anywhere in Canada West,” she said.
Feel the intensity 🔥
— Canada West (@CanadaWest) February 21, 2023
🏐 Matches set for fierce women's volleyball quarterfinals
AND take a 👀 at how teams finished compared to preseason polls
👉 https://t.co/MArCClAUwh pic.twitter.com/LMAxAQVzTT
It ends a remarkable season that saw the team start 0-4. They have gone an impressive 18-2 since November.
This season marks just the second season that the Cascades have competed in the CW and the first time the team has finished above .500 since 2018-19 when they were in the Pacwest conference.