Winnipeg, MB – Down two sets to one, the UFV Cascades stormed back to beat Manitoba in five (25-22, 20-25, 15-25, 25-17, 15-6) on Saturday night at Investors Group Athletic Centre. Gabrielle Attieh picked up 22 kills on the night to match her career-high in the win.

As it happened:
UFV grabbed a 13-8 lead in the first, and after some back-and-forth play in the remainder of the set they held on to take the opener.

The Cascades jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second, but the Bisons battled back to flip the score with a 12-5 run. Manitoba held onto an 18-16 advantage before scoring seven of the next 11 points to seal the set win.

UFV was up 9-6 in the third, but a 13-6 run gave the Bisons a commanding lead, and they finished the frame with five straight points.

Natalie Lemoine-Sells and Attieh combined for ten kills, and UFV hit .400 in a fourth set win. On the Bisons side, Gray, Bentley and Surinx all had at least eight digs entering the fifth, but the Cascades were simply too clean, adding three service aces while pulling away at the midway point of the set. 

The Cascades never trailed in the fifth, getting service aces from Lemoine-Sell and Elizabeth Baird along the way in a nine-point win. 

Top performers:
Attieh led the way for UFV with 22 kills, eight digs and two aces, while setter Cailin Bitter notched 39 assists and 11 digs. Hometown product Lemoine-Sells added 11 kills and six blocks in the effort.

Raya Surinx paced the Bisons with 12 kills and 10 digs on the night, while Katreena Bentley posted 42 assists.

Quotable:
Cascades head coach Janelle Rozema

"I think it shows that we are the type of team that not only has skill and very talented players, and obviously a very standout player like Gabby [Attieh], but we also have a whole team that is willing to contribute and fight."

"Tonight Natalie [Lemoine-Sells] was clutch at some key times. Yesterday she was pretty good, but she struggled at times and tonight was one of the better matches she's had in our recent schedule."

Where they sit:
With the win the Cascades improve to 16-6 on the year and keep pace with the Winnipeg Wesmen and UBC Thunderbirds in the race for a home playoff date. Meanwhile the Bisons drop to 13-9. On the season.

The Cascades conclude their regular season next weekend with a Friday and Saturday set against the Regina Cougars.