The Cascades lose two games over the long weekend

The UFV men’s volleyball team was in full force over the weekend in a two-game series against the Capilano University Blues. Before entering the weekend, the Cascades sat at a record of 4-4. 

The weekend opened with the Cascades hosting the first game on Friday, Nov. 8. Although the Cascades wanted to use their momentum they gained from the previous weekend’s win over Camosun, the UFV men’s volleyball team started the first set flat-footed. 

The first two points of the set were awarded to the Blues when UFV’s Jackson Obst opened with a service error and Capilano’s Simon Friesen followed up with a service ace. From there, the Capilano Blues dominated the first set, which resulted in the Cascades losing the first match point with a set score of 25-16.

The start of the second set seemed more hopeful for the home team. After Capilano picked up the first point with a service ace, the Cascades were able to gain the lead in the set with a pair of their own service aces scored by UFV’s Graham Walkey. From there, the teams battled evenly throughout the entirety of the second set. However, the Blues took the set when Capilano’s Enis Besirevic was able to kill the last play, ending the set with a score of 25-23 for the Blues.

Although the Cascades were down 2-0 in the third set, they were determined to fight back. However, their greatest effort was not enough to force the game to a fourth set. Near the end of the set the game score was 24-21 for the Blues, with the Cascades holding possession of the ball. The set ended shortly after when UFV’s Shubdeep Wander was unable to serve the ball in play, resulting in the Cascades losing the set 25-21 and losing the game 0-3.

After losing the first game at home against Capilano, the UFV men’s team headed to North Vancouver on Saturday to face off against Capilano in their home stadium. This time UFV saw better results than the previous night; however, the Cascades were unable to find a win yet again. 

The start of the game was promising for the Cascades. After battling back and forth with Capilano throughout most of the first set, the Cascades were able to break a 21-21 tie, scoring four of the next five points and ending the set 25-22 for the Cascades. 

While the first set ended with the Cascades on top, UFV was unable to recapture the magic of their first set. The next three sets ended with the scores 25-17, 25-21, and 25-14, all in favour of the Blues. With the Cascades losing both games over the weekend, they now sit in fifth place in the PacWest standings, with eight points.

Next weekend the Cascades will be back in action, with two games against the Douglas College Royals on Friday, Nov. 15, and Saturday, Nov. 16. The games will be held at the Envision Financial Athletic Centre, and Douglas College, respectively. 

Image: UFV Athletics

Photo: Dylan Neudorf, Shubdeep Wander

Nic Jackson

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