MVB: Cascades start strong but fall in four to Bobcats

Abbotsford, BC – The UFV Cascades started strong, but were unable to translate that to a victory as they fell in a four-set decision (25-23, 16-25, 19-25, 17-25) to the Brandon Bobcats on Saturday at the UFV Athletic Centre.

The Cascades trailed 17-11 in the opening set, but a 9-3 run levelled the score at 20 apiece. UFV then won the race to five, thanks in part to three late kills from Ryan Hampe.

That momentum would not last for the Cascades, as the Bobcats swept through next three sets to close out the match.

Brandon put the pressure on from the service line and at the net securing 14 blocks and eight aces as a team, compared to three blocks and one ace for UFV.

Top performers
Setter Max Paddock distributed the ball well for the Cascades, picking up 39 assists and 10 digs in the effort. Eduardo Ferreira added 10 kills and eight digs.

Max Brook paced the Bobcats with 13 kills and two aces in the game, while Philipp Lauter notched six kills, nine block assists, and one solo block.

Quotable
UFV libero Nathan Hall

"I think we just have to work a bit ore as a collective, and really support each other. We are battling some injuries right now, so it's difficult, but if we just keep working hard together, we'll be successful for the rest of the season."

"As the match goes on its about paying attention to the small details and carrying that through the match. I think it's just the little details that make us come up short."

Where they sit
UFV drops to 4-16 with the loss, while Brandon improves to 11-7 on the year.

The Cascades are back in action next weekend as they host the UBC Okanagan Heat on Friday and Saturday.