Cascades Win Bronze

Story from Dan Kinvig

The University of the Fraser Valley women’s volleyball team climbed the PACWEST podium for the first time in five years, defeating the Capilano Blues in the conference bronze medal match.

The Cascades, hosting the championships at the Envision Financial Athletic Centre, made home court advantage work for them on Saturday afternoon, prevailing by scores of 25-18, 25-20 and 25-22.

It’s the first conference medal for the UFV women’s program since 2013, when the team swept the PACWEST conference and CCAA national titles.

Setter Olivia Heinen was the Cascades’ player of the match, dishing out 35 assists and adding two aces. Under her direction, UFV’s attack was highly diversified – Keira Fisher and Amanda Matsui tied for team-high honours with nine kills apiece, Kim Bauder had eight, and Hanna Hieltjes had seven.

UFV’s middles were outstanding – Fisher was dangerous from the service line, racking up five aces and firing 18 serves in total, and Hieltjes added three blocks. Bauder (15), Cassidy King (13) and Matsui (nine) were the Cascades’ leaders in digs.

The Blues caught a tough break midway through the first set, when PACWEST first team all-star Tyneille Neufeld exited the game due to injury and did not return. Libero Tracy Ewashkiw was Capilano’s player of the match, registering 15 digs. Outside hitter Isabela Lima paced the offence with 11 kills and added four digs, and middle Courtney Becker had four blocks and five digs.