The University of the Fraser Valley men's volleyball team picked up another win over a nationally ranked foe, toppling the Douglas Royals in four sets on Saturday evening in New Westminster.

The Royals – four-set winners over the Cascades on Friday in Abbotsford – came in with a PACWEST-best 9-1 record to go with the No. 3 spot in the CCAA national rankings. But it was the Cascades (5-7) who looked the part on Saturday, prevailing by scores of 25-21, 19-25, 25-12, 25-13.

Afterward, head coach Nathan Bennett was quick to note that the Royals were playing shorthanded, with star outside hitters Reid Marriott and Max Haronga sidelined. Nevertheless, it goes down as a confidence-building result for the Cascades, and their second win over a top-three nationally ranked opponent. On Nov. 2, they knocked off the Camosun Chargers – ranked No. 2 in the CCAA at the time – in four sets.

"Their lineup's not as optimal, but we had to take advantage of that," Bennett noted. "I definitely think we executed better (than on Friday), and we stuck to the game plan at a higher rate.
"It gives us a bit of momentum, for sure. At the end of the day, it's great for the group. I'm really happy for them. They did a great job, and they deserve this feeling."

In the opening set, UFV took a 7-3 lead early and despite a strong pushback from the Royals to cut the margin to 23-21, the Cascades went on to close it out 25-21.

Douglas established a 17-12 lead in the second, eventually seeing it through to a 25-19 finish.

The third set was all Cascades, as they built a 15-10 lead before cruising to a 25-12 victory.

Graham Walkey helped to carry that Cascades momentum into the fourth as they opened up a 6-0 lead with the setter at the service line. They would extend that lead to 15-4 off of a service run by Andy Barrero. That advantage would prove insurmountable for the Royals, as the Cascades sealed it 25-13.

Caleb Kastelein led the charge for the Cascades, posting 11 kills, while Landon Uy notched 10 of his own. Walkey kept the offence humming efficiently with 27 assists to go with five digs, and libero Matt Kornelson chipped in a team-high eight digs.

Matt Shand had a game-high 18 kills for the Royals, while teammate Ben Shand dropped 10 of his own. 

"I thought our service pressure was definitely better, and we also started blocking the ball better," Bennett analyzed. "We were more disciplined at the net, and we didn't give as many free points as we did last night. We made them earn everything they got."

The Cascades volleyball teams have a bye week before their next action, which sees them face the Capilano Blues on the road Nov. 29.