Friday, Jan. 3: No. 10 Cascades (7-6, 3rd in PACWEST) vs. No. 13 Douglas Royals (5-6, 5th in PACWEST), 6 p.m., Envision Financial Athletic Centre / North Gym
Saturday, Jan. 4: Cascades at Royals, 1 p.m., New Westminster B.C.
Webcast: pacwestbc.tv

The first-semester match-ups between the Cascades and Royals were epic to say the least – both legs of a Nov. 15-16 home-and-home series went the maximum five sets, with Douglas winning the opener in Abbotsford and UFV bouncing back the next night to win in New West.

"They definitely played really well both nights, and we had a lot of fun battling them," Cascades senior right side Chelsea Kidd said. "We went to five sets both nights so we can't underestimate them, but at the same time, they can be beaten. It's going to be about watching tape on them and making the improvements we need."

This weekend's games are pivotal, in light of the fact the PACWEST standings are jam-packed in the middle. Just three wins separates second place from fifth, and both the Cascades and Royals find themselves amongst that logjam, looking to move up.

"We've had a pretty long break (over the holidays), so we're coming back super-refreshed and excited to play in the second semester," Kidd noted. "I think it was really beneficial – you have to be away from the team for a little while so you don't take it for granted and realize how special it is. Getting back together for practice has been a lot of fun."

Players to watch: Cascades third-year left side Amanda Matsui put together a strong fall semester. A PACWEST first team all-star last season, she sits fourth in the league in kills (2.98/set), third in total offence (3.44 points/set) and ninth in digs (2.48/set). On the other side of the net, Douglas's most prolific attacker is third-year Emma Schill, who ranks seventh in both kills (2.69/set) and total offence (3.23 points/set).