After storming Spartan territory with a pair of marathon five-set victories on Thursday, Feb. 6 at the Langley Events Centre (LEC), the UFV Cascades men’s and women’s volleyball teams (MVB, WVB) returned home to the UFV Athletic Centre for a magnetic senior night on Feb. 7, in the highly anticipated rematch with Trinity Western University (TWU).
Thursday’s action in Langley began with a back and forth, 3-2 decision for WVB as teams traded sets until the Cascades stole a 15-13 final frame. Talia and Lauren Attieh led the way with 24 and 19 kills, 2 blocks each, as well as 6 and 11 digs, respectively. The Attieh sisters were clutch when it counted, particularly late in sets with the game on the line. Mandi Feist and Zoe Arca provided meaningful depth contributions as Feist collected 12 kills and 8 digs, and Arca 9 kills and a team high 7 blocks. UFV Setter Cailin Bitter produced a game-high 52 assists as well as 11 digs, while libero Emily Matsui led the team in digs with 16.
MVB would go down to the wire in the following match Thursday night, as the Cascades gutted out an emotional 3-2 win after falling behind 2-1 and forcing a fifth set. Jonas Van Huizen surpassed 200 kills this season with 20 on the night, in addition to 6 digs, 3 blocks and 1 ace. Nimo Benne registered 14 kills, 5 digs, and 4 aces, giving UFV clutch serves when they needed it. Cascades middle Tyson Ardell picked up 11 kills, 6 digs, and 2 aces, while Ryan Hampe had 4 kills, 2 aces, and a team high 4 blocks. Setter Silas Van Huizen amassed 41 assists and libero Gabe Kozlow led the team in digs with 8.
The Cascades were greeted back at home on Friday by the most lively crowd of the season for senior night. MVB would start the evening off, ultimately falling 3-1 to the Spartans. The big three of J. Van Huizen, Benne, and Ardell delivered inspired performances, all reaching double digit kills, and Benne with a game-high 15 digs. S. Van Huizen went for a game high 38 assists in the defeat.
Ardell, an Abbotsford native and MEI graduate, played with the Cascades his entire five-year career and received a huge ovation from the crowd.
“It’s amazing … You don’t get that feeling very often in life, so you’ve got to soak it in when you get it … It’s cool that I’ve had this impact at the school [during] my five years here.”
At 10th overall in Canada West (CW)’s MVB standings, UFV will kindly take the split against fifth place TWU. The Cascades occupy the final play-off spot and will look for another split against the third place UBC Thunderbirds next week.
“They’re a good team … We tried to match their intensity and bring it ourselves,” said Ardell of the Spartans. “We gave it our all last night and tonight — Such close games … oftentimes it’s a coin flip between two physical teams like that.”
Getting off to a late start at 8:47 p.m., WVB made up for lost time quickly, sending TWU back home in straight sets by scores of 26-24, 25-20, and 25-23. The Spartans had no answer for T. Attieh; the outside hitter racked up over 40 per cent of the Cascades’ total kills with 17, and called game late in the third set with a dagger down the line.
The team’s trio of graduating seniors put in efforts that are hard to replace: Alicja Hardy-Francis with 5 kills and 2 blocks; Matsui a game-high 15 digs; and Mo Likness with 3 kills, 4 digs, and a game-high 7 blocks.
“I’ve said it since my rookie year, I’ve been fortunate to have the starting position and be able to stay healthy through five years [without] major injuries,” said Likness. “I feel so lucky … This team has my back through anything … Our coaches are amazing… It’s crazy that I’ve dedicated this much time [to volleyball], and it paid off tonight.”
At 16-2, the Cascades hold second place in CW’s WVB standings, and close their season at fourth place UBC on Feb. 14.
“It was probably the most fun ever,” said Likness of where this win ranks to her personally. “It’s been a long time coming to beat Trinity… It feels really nice to do it in three [sets], in front of our home crowd. Trinity definitely put up a fight — they’re an amazing team … So credits to them … It was a nice way to go out on senior night… Everyone was amazing, on and off the court.”
