The University of the Fraser Valley Cascades women's volleyball team grew stronger as the match wore on, ultimately earning a four-set decision over the College of the Rockies Avalanche on Saturday evening at the Envision Financial Athletic Centre.

After splitting two closely contested sets, the Cascades built some momentum in the third and closed out the match in dominant fashion (32-30, 23-25, 25-19, 25-9).

UFV and COTR take matching 3-2 records into a rare morning rematch on Sunday (11 a.m., EFAC, pacwestbc.tv).

"People were talking about how far COTR has to travel (from Cranbrook), and they just came out ripping – cheering, loud, ready to go," Cascades head coach Janelle Rozema said. "We had to identify, OK, these guys are here to compete. It took us a bit to adjust to that.

"We started trying to find ways to get points on the board and be resilient, despite the distraction that came in when they came with that level of energy."
 

???? | Cascades head coach @RozemaJanelle speaks following her team's four-set victory against COTR. pic.twitter.com/domxz0S6nE

— UFV Cascades (@UFVCascades) October 27, 2019

The game got off to an epic start – the Avalanche built a 24-22 lead in the first, but the Cascades fended off two set points to extend the set, eventually clawing out a 32-30 victory on the back of their stellar play at the net. Timely blocks by Sedona Arabsky and Chelsea Kidd, as well as kills by Kidd and Amanda Matsui, helped lift the Cascades.

The visitors jumped out to an early 7-2 lead in the second set, and despite a strong pushback from UFV, they finished it off 25-23 to square the match.

Megan Clark picked up multiple kills early in the third for COTR, but more strong play at the net from Arabsky and setter Sarah Brownlee helped to propel the Cascades to a 25-19 win in the third.

The Cascades carried all the momentum into the fourth, building a 12-3 lead off strong service play from Brownlee, as they took the decisive set 25-9.
 

???? | "We weren't overthinking our game"

UFV setter Sarah Brownlee on her team's win today over the COTR Avalanche. pic.twitter.com/MHTs7FSd3W

— UFV Cascades (@UFVCascades) October 27, 2019

Brownlee, who came off the bench in the second set, posted 13 assists and a pair of blocks to help spark the Cascades. Matsui and Arabsky racked up 10 and eight kills, respectively, while Kristen McBride had five kills and a team-best 10 digs.

Taylor Whittall's 10 kills paced the Avalanche.