The University of the Fraser Valley women's volleyball team shook off a slow start in emphatic fashion, defeating the College of the Rockies Avalanche in three straight sets on Saturday evening in Abbotsford.

The Avalanche were the sharper team early, building an 11-5 lead to open the match, but it was all Cascades from there – they rallied to win the first set 25-21, and finished things off 25-16 and 25-19.

Cascades fifth-year captain Kim Bauder led the way, leading the team in kills (14), digs (14) and aces (three) while posting an excellent 2.25 rating on serve receive.

The two teams clash again on Sunday morning (11 a.m., Envision Financial Athletic Centre).

"We talk a lot about trusting the process," UFV head coach Mike Gilray noted afterward. "We usually practice the day before playing, but the way the scheduled worked, we took Friday off this week. I think it messed with their timing a little bit to start the match, not having those touches the day before.

"But what I liked was our composure on the court. Even though we were down 11-5, I thought we were confident. I didn't see them freaking out on the court. I didn't call any timeouts – I stayed seated on the bench, I let them work through their errors and clean it up all the way until the other team called timeout at 11-10."

After the Avalanche raced out to their early lead, UFV responded with five straight points behind the serving of Bauder to get back into it. Later on, five points from Keira Fisher's service allowed the Cascades to surge ahead at 22-20, before finishing off the first set 25-21.

The Cascades carried their momentum into the second set as they took a lead of 14-6 before cruising to the 25-16 victory.

The story of the third set was the Cascades' efficient hitting – Bauder and Alysha Cooper stepped up early with a number of timely kills, paving the way for the Cascades to take the deciding set 25-19.

Left side Amanda Matsui chipped in with nine kills and nine digs for the Cascades, libero Karissa Marazzi had 13 digs, and right side Keira Fisher had 10 digs.

"Kim led by example," Gilray enthused. "She's an amazing leader and an amazing captain. She put us on her back today – led us in every category."

The CCAA No. 9-ranked Cascades improved to 10-5 in PACWEST play, while the Avalanche fell to 4-12.

- with files from Jordie Arthur, Cascades communications assistant