The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women's volleyball team enters the final weekend of the Canada West regular season with the chance to finish atop the standings.
UFV has a sparkling record of 16-2 and close out the schedule against the UBC Thunderbirds in Vancouver on Friday (Feb. 14) and Saturday (Feb. 15).
If the Cascades win both games or split the series with UBC they will finish first overall. The team will not finish any lower than third overall.
WVB | W’s on senior night 🏔️🔥#weclimbweconquer #rallyforthevalley pic.twitter.com/4dbBm4nIid
— UFV Cascades (@UFVCascades) February 8, 2025
The club posted two crucial wins over the TWU Spartans in Langley on Thursday (Feb. 6) and in Abbotsford on Friday (Feb. 7).
Thursday saw the Cascades win 3-2 (25-20, 24-26, 25-23, 22-25, and 15-13), while Saturday was a 3-0 (26-24, 25-20 and 25-23) triumph on Seniors Night inside the UFV Athletic Centre.
The Cascades honoured graduating seniors Mo Likness, Emily Matsui and Alicja Hardy-Francis in a pregame ceremony for their last regular season home game on Friday.
Likness, a Mission Secondary grad, said that it was a memorable night.
"Getting that win in three is a testament to how hard we have worked this year and the years previous," she said. "We really wanted that win tonight no matter what, and Trinity really put us to the test, but it was so nice to do this in front of the home crowd.That was probably the biggest crowd I have had since I came here, so that was amazing. It was so fun with my family being here for senior night too, It was such a great night, and I'll remember it forever."
Manitoba currently sits in first with a record of 16-4 and 49 points, with the Cascades at 16-2 and 48 points. Alberta ranks third at 15-3 and 41 points, while UBC is fourth at 14-4 and 41 points. Alberta plays Mount Royal (12-6) to close out the season. The top four teams will all host quarterfinal games.
MVB FINAL | Total Cascade domination in Langley‼️ pic.twitter.com/wrcC4uhR9i
— UFV Cascades (@UFVCascades) February 7, 2025
Meanwhile, the men are still battling for a playoff spot, but strengthened their chances with a split against the Spartans on Thursday and Friday.
UFV won 3-2 (30-28, 21-25, 20-25, 26-24 and 15-13) in Langley on Thursday, but then fell 3-1 (16-25, 19-25, 25-21 and 25-22) in Abbotsford on Friday.
The Cascades honoured graduating players Kyle Cook Braden White, Ryan Hempe, Tyson Ardell, Nimo Benne and Jonas Van Huizen in a post-game ceremony on their senior night.
The men sit in 10th place with a record of 7-11 and currently occupy the final playoff spot. They could finish anywhere from seventh to 12th based on how the final weekend finishes. They close out against the UBC Thunderbirds (13-5) in Vancouver on Friday and Saturday.
