ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — Nimo Benne notched a match-high 23 kills, as the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades fought off a reverse sweep attempt from the University of Winnipeg Wesmen to pick up a five-set victory on Friday. 

After UFV took the opening two sets, the Wesmen hit back to take the next two before the Cascades closed out the win in five (25-17, 25-16, 13-25, 19-25, 15-9). With the win the Cascades improve to 5-8 in Canada West play, while Winnipeg moves to 8-7. 

Benne paced the Cascades early, picking up nine kills and two blocks in the opening set. After UFV took the opening set, the momentum was fully in the favour of the hosts. The Cascades hit a combined .333 through two sets, while holding Winnipeg to just .072. 

The Wesmen bounced back in the third, jumping out to a 17-7 lead, and cruising to the set win. The teams traded runs in the fourth, but a pair of Nigel Neilsen kills gave the visitors a 16-11 lead that they would not relinquish as they forced a decisive fifth set.

With the score 5-3 for Winnipeg in the fifth, the Cascades found some magic. The hosts scored the next five points including a highlight reel save from Caleb Kastelein to set up a kill from setter Max Paddock that energized the Cascades squad. Two kills down the stretch from Benne would increase the lead and put the match out of reach.

"We have been working hard and on different things over the course of practice, and it has definitely been showing right now on the court," said Benne post game. "Everyone contributes and everyone gets excited for each other - and it's easier to get excited when it's the guys off the bench because you don't always see them make the impact, so when they do it's really special."

Nimo Benne's 23 kills led the Cascades, while Jonas Van Huizen added 10. Reece Wilson picked up 11 digs, and UFV setter Max Paddock notched 37 assists. 

Isaiah Olfert led the Wesmen with 14 kills, while Nigel Nielsen had 12 with 11 digs and two aces. Ethan Duncan had season-highs with 11 kills and nine digs. 

The Wesmen hit .223 as a team while Fraser Valley hit .274 and snapped a five- match losing streak in the process. 

The teams meet again Saturday at 5 p.m. in a game that can be seen live on Canada West TV.