Friday, Jan. 21: Cascades (1-5, 4th in West Division) at Thompson Rivers WolfPack (0-6, 5th in West Division), 6:45 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 22: Cascades at WolfPack, 3:45 p.m.
Kamloops, B.C.
Webcast: CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op

THE MATCH-UP

The Cascades are aiming to climb the West Division standings at the expense of the team below them, the Thompson Rivers WolfPack, who are still in search of their initial win of the campaign.

This weekend launches a stretch of four games in a row for the Cascades vs. TRU – they host the WolfPack for a doubleheader, Feb. 4-5. These games will go a long way towards determining both teams' playoff fates -- the top three teams from each of CW's three divisions qualify for the playoffs, along with three wildcards.

RECENT FORM

The Cascades haven't tasted game action since the first weekend of December, when they faced the Trinity Western Spartans in Langley. The highlight of the fall semester for UFV was the program's first Canada West victory, Nov. 12 at UBC. Since then, they've lost three in a row and will look to get back into the win column this weekend.

The WolfPack have won just two sets in conference play to date, and are coming off a weekend sweep at the hands of the UBC Thunderbirds in Vancouver last week.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Amanda Matsui, UFV – The Cascades' standout fourth-year left side had a tough start to the campaign, suffering an injury in the second set of the season-opener at UBCO Okanagan. She's set to return to the lineup this weekend, and is sure to give her squad a lift with her dynamic athleticism and all-around skillset.

Brooklyn Olfert, TRU – Olfert is putting together an outstanding rookie season with the WolfPack – she leads the squad in points (2.4) and kills (2.11) per set. The Winnipeg product is coming off a strong showing at UBC which saw her establish new career-highs for kills on consecutive nights – 10 on Friday, 11 on Saturday.

QUOTABLE

"We're really excited to have games – last weekend was postponed and we haven't played for so long and we're eager to get back. This past weekend we had intrasquad matches, and they were so amazing and so fun. It really makes us hungry for the chance to play another team." – Cascades left side Kristen McBride, on the opportunity to play this weekend

"I know they're a scrappy team, and they always have some really good international players. There's a girl on their team I played with when I was younger, and she's really good – Erin Mutch, one of their left sides. We're focused on our serve-receive – it's a huge part of the game, and we need to be strong there. Also, just being aggressive offensively. I think that will allow us to do well against them." – McBride, on the match-up with TRU and what the Cascades need to do well vs. the WolfPack