The University of the Fraser Valley women's volleyball team earned a signature victory on Friday evening, knocking off the Douglas Royals in four sets at the Envision Financial Athletic Centre.
 
The Royals, last season's PACWEST champions and CCAA silver medalists, came in with the No. 2 national ranking. But the No. 11-ranked Cascades succeeded thanks in large part to a scorching performance from the service line – they pounded 17 aces against just 11 service errors, keeping the Royals on their heels for much of the evening. Set scores were 25-21, 25-19, 19-25, 25-20.
 
The two teams conclude the home-and-home set on Saturday afternoon at Douglas College in New Westminster (1 p.m. start, pacwestbc.tv).
 
"It was fun . . . it's the best volleyball we've played this year, for sure," Cascades head coach Mike Gilray said.
 
"We're coming off two big road trips, and that connection you get on the road is great, but there's just something about being in your own gym. I think the girls were super-excited about playing at home, and it showed. They played fantastic."
 
The Cascades' red-hot performance from the service line was led by setter Kara Williams and outside hitter Kim Bauder. Williams had an eye-popping 28 serves over the four sets, notching six aces, and Bauder had five aces of her own.
 
Amanda Matsui paced the offence with 20 kills, and Bauder added 13 kills with just one error. Rookie middle Alysha Cooper chipped in with six kills on eight swings, and Williams racked up 47 set assists.
 
Bauder (13 digs), Karissa Marazzi (12) and Williams (11) all mustered double-digit digs for the hosts.
 
"We've got two big horses in our league (Douglas and CCAA No. 1 Vancouver Island University), and they're real good measuring sticks for where your game is going," Gilray noted. "Last week, we didn't play at the level we want to play at (splitting on the road vs. Camosun), and to come back and answer with our best volleyball of the season is outstanding."