For the second consecutive day, the University of the Fraser Valley women's volleyball team earned a four-set decision over the College of the Rockies Avalanche.
In a rare 11 a.m. start at the Envision Financial Athletic Centre, the Cascades prevailed by scores of 25-19, 25-14, 16-25 and 25-18 to boost their record to 4-2, good for second in the PACWEST. The Avalanche fell to 3-3.
"We're getting better every weekend," Cascades head coach
Janelle Rozema said afterward. "I'm glad they put some pressure on us this weekend so we could see how we'd respond. I thought we responded really well.
"They made a switch-up in the third set with putting their best hitter (Taylor Whittall) at left side, so it was an adjustment on how to contain her. It took us a little too long in the third set, but in the fourth we started figuring it out."
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The Avalanche came out flying to open the match, grabbing a 6-1 lead off of an Ecaterina Arabadji service run. The Cascades would battle back, though, with
Kara Williams serving for seven straight points to give them a 19-15 lead. The hosts would not relinquish that advantage, as
Lauren Poirier racked up two aces late to seal it 25-19.
UFV carried that momentum into the second, taking a 13-5 lead after a seven-point serving run by
Chelsea Kidd, and they went on to take it 25-14.
COTR found some traction in the third, building an 18-14 lead before Katie Friesen stepped up to serve for five straight points. The visitors eventually closed it out 25-16 to extend the match.
The Cascades regained control in the fourth, with
Amanda Matsui securing multiple important kills early, finishing the match with a 25-18 set victory.
Matsui's 11 kills and 12 digs were both team-highs,
Sedona Arabsky racked up nine kills on just 13 swings for a .692 efficiency, and
Kristen McBride added seven kills and two aces. Libero
Cassidy King and McBride had nine digs apiece.
Whittall led the Avalanche in kills for the second straight night with 10, Chantelle Dobie had seven kills, and Megan Clark registered 13 digs.
The Cascades volleyball teams are back in action next weekend at home, hosting the Camosun Chargers in a Friday/Saturday set.
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