Cascades Into Semi-Final

Story courtesy of Dan Kinvig

A slow start gave way to a furious finish for the University of the Fraser Valley women’s volleyball team, as they rallied to beat the College of the Rockies Avalanche in their quarter-final match at the PACWEST championships Thursday evening.

The No. 3-seeded Cascades, playing host to the tournament at the Envision Financial Athletic Centre, struggled mightily in the opening set, committing 15 unforced errors en route to a 25-18 loss to the No. 6 Avalanche.

They found their mojo midway through the second, though, taking the next three sets by scores of 25-22, 25-15 and 25-21. The Cascades move on to face the No. 2 VIU Mariners in the semifinals at 1 p.m. Friday.

Sophomore middle Hanna Hieltjes turned in a performance that was both consistent and dynamic – she hammered 12 kills to give the Cascades great offensive balance, hitting 43 per cent. She was named UFV’s player of the match.

PACWEST first team all-star Amanda Matsui led the Cascades in both kills (16) and digs (15), coming alive as the match wore on. Kim Bauder (eight kills) and Kara Williams (seven kills) also chipped in offensively for the hosts, and Olivia Heinen set the table with 47 set assists. Bauder (13) and libero Cassidy King (11) joined Matsui in double-figure digs.

For the Avalanche, right side Mikaela Pushor picked up player of the match honours after notching seven kills. Taylor Whittall and Megan Beckett registered eight and six kills, respectively. Abigail Horsch racked up three of COTR’s 10 blocks, and libero Ashley Huberts – an Abbotsford product – had a team-best 15 digs.