The University of the Fraser Valley men’s volleyball team continued their strong season, completing a weekend sweep of the Douglas Royals with a three-set win on Saturday night in New Westminster.
Coming off a five-set victory (21-25, 25-17, 25-17, 18-25, 16-14) on Friday, the Cascades were much more efficient in the rematch, winning 25-17, 25-14, 25-20.
UFV not only swept the weekend doubleheader, they swept the season series against Douglas.
“We were just more consistent tonight – we eliminated the roller-coaster ride that yesterday was,” Cascades head coach Kyle Donen said. “We had a bit of a slower start, but we took off and I felt that we were in control for most of the match. We maintained that level of play through and through.”
Right side Joel Kleingeltink led the team with 11 kills and chipping in with three blocks, two aces and eight digs. Middle Dayton Pagliericci notched 10 kills and two blocks, and libero Isaiah Dahl had 10 digs.
The CCAA No. 8-ranked Cascades have struggled away from home in the past two-plus seasons, winning just eight of 28 away games.
Donen noted that opening the road-centric second half (which features eight of 12 games on the road) in successful fashion meant a lot to his club.
“The goal was to get off on the right foot and prove we can be a road team as well,” he said. “We can go on the road next week with confidence, and we’re looking forward to another challenge.”
The men have a record of 11 wins and three losses, and sit second in the PacWest.
The Cascades women also posted solid results on the road, losing in five sets (25-20, 18-25, 25-16, 17-25, 17-15) on Friday, but bouncing back to beat the Royals in four sets (25-12, 25-18, 21-25, 25-19) on Saturday.
“I think the girls took another close loss (on Friday) to heart, but they also knew they were close,” UFV head coach Mike Gilray said. “We had opportunities to win last night, and they recognized what we lacking. They decided to sit down together as a group and figure out what it was going to take to be better.”
Left side Rachel Funk hit 37 per cent en route to 16 kills, and posted a 2.33 pass rating with 13 digs. She also notched an ace, and did not make a service error all night. Cassidy Pearson excelled on the right side, registering nine kills, eight digs and four aces.
The women have a record of five wins and nine losses, and are ranked fifth in the PacWest.
The teams are back in action this weekend with a home-and-home series against the Capilano Blues.
The two teams clash in Abbotsford on Friday, and at Capilano’s North Vancouver campus on Saturday. The women play at 6 p.m. and the men at 8 p.m. both nights.
