The Cascades are set for many debuts in 2021 due to cancellations and postponements
This time of year usually marks the point in which various UFV teams are set to conclude their seasons, head to the playoffs, or compete for tournament wins against conference competitors. However, 2021 is different, as no sports are currently running their usual schedules. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, teams have been preparing for their eventual seasons, and some teams will debut almost completely rebuilt rosters compared to their previous forms.
Despite the team not playing since their 2020 playoffs loss last season, the men’s basketball squad is almost entirely new, with the exception of a few players. Coach Joe Enevoldson has transformed the team into a tall, defensive, playoff-caliber group that features three players at 6’10 and one 6’9 player! The twin towers of Zach and Matthias Klim both stand at 6’10 and are joining the Cascades from Chilliwack’s G.W. Graham Secondary School. The new team includes two redshirt players, Russell Curley and Gershaun Sarowa, and multiple new staff members. Coach Enevoldson’s assistant coaching staff now features Grant Campbell, Matt Guynup, Jason Price, and Mike Lee.
The same can be said for the men’s and women’s volleyball teams, as they simultaneously are set to debut new rosters for the Canada West conference and U Sports. The men’s team now features nine players standing 6’5 or taller, which is a major shift from their roster just a year ago. The size should help the team acclimate to their new competition, which will likely be taller and faster than their previous opponents outside of U Sports.
The women’s Cascades also revamped their team and will look to improve for their long-awaited debut. The new recruits should help add some depth and size to the team, as five of the women’s team’s new players stand at 6’0 or taller.
The new year also brings one of the Cascades’ smartest total rosters, as 65 players achieved academic honours in 2020! This included a school record of 18 selections to the national stage for academic recognition, as those players were U Sports Academic All-Canadians. This is significant for the department, as schools often have to part with incredible players due to academic issues. The problem is widespread across universities due to minimum academic requirements for players to remain on the team, but with these numbers exhibiting a different trend, the Cascades seem to have shown improvement.
At the moment, Cascades fans can look forward to the UFV golf team resuming action soon, as the B.C. Rivalry Series is set to kick off again next month.
