On Jan. 17 and 18, the UFV Cascades’ volleyball teams played back-to-back matches against the University of Calgary Dinos (U of C) at the UFV Athletic Centre. The UFV women’s volleyball team (WVB) improved to 11-1 this season, remaining second in the Canada West rankings, while the men’s volleyball team (MVB) elevated to 6-8 on the season and eighth place overall.
MVB’s Friday festivity
In the fourth set, fifth-year outside hitter Nimo Benne became the 31st player in Canada West to record 1000 kills. It was a special moment in the stands as the crowd came alive with cheers from Benne’s family and friends for the milestone. An ace from Benne closed out the final set 25-18, capping off a 3-1 win.
“It was definitely a goal when I came here,” said Benne on his achievement. “All the great players that I know have done 1000 at least.”
Dropping their first set 25-17, the Cascades came together in the second set, finding their rhythm to even the match with a 25-21 victory. The third set progressed with neither team able to gain more than a two-point lead, until the Cascades finished it off courtesy of fifth-year middle Ryan Hampe’s second kill of the night.
Benne fired three kills in a row after notching his record tally, accompanied by fourth-year outside hitter Jonas Van Huizen’s ability to find the pockets, they put the game away for the home team. The Cascades’ pin-hitters continued to execute, as Benne and Van Huzien ended the night with 18 and 17 kills, respectively.
WVB kicks ass(ists)
It was a big game for fourth-year setter Cailin Bitter on Friday — picking up her 2000th career assist, with 28 total. The game didn’t make it past three sets, with the Cascades defeating the Dinos 25-22, 25-18, and 25-20 en route to a 3-0 win.
The Cascade got Bitter’s reaction to the news following the match.
“I had no idea, but it feels good,” she said of her milestone. “I wouldn’t rather do it with anyone else than [the] girls on this team.”
Head coach Janelle Rozema has had high hopes for Bitter ever since bringing her into the program.
“We recruited Cailin as a setter that we knew had potential to be one of, if not the best, setters in Canada … She’s super physical [and] strong, but she’s also very strategic,” Coach Rozema explained. “Getting the ball to the right places but also making the right decisions is what results in her hitters scoring points off her sets.”
MVB serves up trouble
The Cascades secured a fourth consecutive victory on Saturday, their longest win streak since joining Canada West in 2021. The match required all five sets by scores of 19-25, 25-23, 14-25, 25-15, and a 15-8 final set to grind out a 3-2 win. Following Benne’s personal victory on Friday, he showed up clutch again for the second match with five aces and 13 kills.
Van Huizen had another 17 kills in the game, and was a prominent figure in the team’s comeback after falling behind two sets to one.
“Heading into the fifth [set] hitting those aces and putting us ahead, it gave us that cushion and confidence — we felt very unstoppable at that point … We want to have one island out there, not six individual islands.”
WVB: a dig deal
UFV would sweep Calgary in straight sets for the second night with another 3-0 performance. It was another night of achievement as fourth-year libero Emily Matsui registered her 1000th career dig and became 23rd all-time in Canada West.
Matsui tallied 14 digs in the game, putting her at 1,010 for her career.
“It shows that it’s not just myself — it’s everyone else who puts me in that position to succeed,” Matsui said. “We all work very hard, and everyone helps me get better every day. So it’s really cool for me, and also a testament to our team.”
Perhaps often an unsung hero, Matsui is the anchor of the Cascades’ defence.
“Emily backing us up on serve receive, and putting our setters in a good position to be able to set our attackers has been pivotal to our team’s success,” said Coach Rozema. “To have somebody be able to play such good defence behind a medium-sized block really helps our team be successful.”
The Cascades return to their home floor on Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. to take on the arch-rival, Trinity Western Spartans in their final home games of the season.
