By Nathan Hutton (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: January 15, 2014
Men’s volleyball has struggled in recent years. Whether it’s game-to-game challenges or the bigger picture of the playoffs, the men’s volleyball team that has historically struggled the most of UFV’s four indoor court teams.
The men started 2013 in a tailspin — the talented squad could not get any momentum after a poor start and entered January with a record of one win and 11 losses. It wasn’t all bad for the Cascades as they opened with an exhibition game against seventh-ranked Cégep Limoilou Titans (whom they defeated three sets to one), but the glory would be short-lived. The Cascades returned to PACWEST action on January 19 as they fell to Capilano University in three straight sets. Their struggles continued later into January as they once again faced the same Capilano University Blues. This time they were able to overcome the five-win, 13-loss team and earn their second win of the season.
The men seemed to turn their season around as February took over; they defeated the visiting Selkirk Saints on a night where they honoured their departing seniors and followed that up with four straight wins, upsetting crosstown rivals Columbia Bible College Bearcats in the process and getting a playoff berth by virtue of a tiebreak. However the strength of the team’s play in February did not translate into post-season success as they were eliminated in the first round by Camosun College, the eventual bronze medallists. UFV played well, winning the first set 25-21, but couldn’t continue the streak, dropping the three subsequent sets by scores of 19-25, 20-25, and 20-25. It was the third straight loss in the first round of the playoffs for the Cascades team, who last medalled with a silver in 2009-20.
The off-season saw the departure of fifth-year Trevor Nickel, an anchor in the middle of the Cascades attack.
The 2013-14 season has been an interesting one for the Cascades. They’ve avoided a disastrous start like last year’s, but still sit on the outside looking in on the playoffs tied for sixth with the College of the Rockies Avalanche. The team’s priority for the moment is a doubleheader against their statistical rivals, as they face the Avalanche this weekend in a showdown for sole possession of the last playoff spot in the conference.
