Vancouver, BC - Nimo Benne knocked down the final two kills, and the UFV Cascades finished off what might be their biggest win in program history on Saturday night. The Cascades knocked off the perennial powerhouse UBC Thunderbirds in four sets (25-18, 25, 21, 24-26, 25-20) to pick up their first win of the season.

"We knew it was going to be tough, but it was something we knew we could accomplish, so I'm glad we could pull off the win tonight" explained Cascades outside hitter Caleb Kastelein after the game.

UFV got off to a red-hot start, taking an 8-1 lead in the first set and, despite some pressure from the Thunderbirds in the middle of the frame, a Jonas Van Huizen kill sealed it 25-18.

The teams traded blows early in the second, but a pair of service aces by Ryan Hampe, and a kill from Kastelein helped the Cascades work out an 11-9 lead. They went on to extend the advantage to 18-12 and made no mistake closing it out 25-21 on a Benne kill.

The teams went back and forth in the third, but with match point at 24-23 in favour of UFV, the Thunderbirds battled back to collect the final three points of the set and extend the match.

But Benne and the Cascades were not to be stopped in the fourth. The third year left side racked up two aces and 9 kills, including the final two points of the match, to seal the victory for UFV, 25-20.

"We made some adjustments after last night and they worked," noted UFV head coach Nathan Bennett. "We talked about execution, and we did a much better job tonight than the night before."

"We know what is happening behind closed doors here at UFV, all the work that's going in. And I think after tonight, everyone else in the league does too."

With tonight's result both teams see their record move to 1-1 on the season.

Benne led the Cascades in kills (22) and aces (3), while Van Huizen notched 40 assists and Reece Wilson added 10 digs.

Matt Neaves led the way for UBC posting 15 kills, while Mason Greves had 33 assists.

The Cascades now head back to Abbotsford for their home opener when they host the Trinity Western Spartans next Friday and Saturday.

"These next two matchups could be even tougher" remarked Kastelein, "so it's about staying at this level moving forward."

Meanwhile, UBC now heads to Brandon nex weekend for a pair of matches against the Bobcats.