Abbotsford, BC - Gabrielle Attieh put down a match-high 16 kills, as the UFV Cascades downed the University of Alberta Pandas in four sets to clinch home court advantage in the Canada West quarterfinals next week. Despite slow starts in the first two sets, UFV took the match by set scores of 25-21, 17-25, 25-15, and 25-20.

Rebounding after a defeat on Friday night, the USPORTS No. 6 ranked Cascades rounded out the regular season with a 20-4 record, while the Pandas fell to 18-6.

How it Happened
After falling behind 6-2 early in the first, the Cascades rebounded to level the set at 18. A huge kill by Lauren Attieh and another by graduating senior Gabrielle Attieh put UFV up 21-19 and forced a timeout from the Pandas. Three Cascades combined to close out the set from there as an Elizabeth Baird ace and a block from Natalie Crews set up Gabrielle Attieh for the final kill.

The Pandas flew out to another early lead in the second, going up 5-0 and forcing a UFV timeout. Alberta held an 18-14 lead until back-to-back aces from Talia Attieh forced a Panda timeout. Alberta would regroup from there to finish off the second set with a 7-1 run.

Three kills over the span of five points from Gabby Attieh made it 14-10 for UFV and forced a Panda timeout in the third. However, UFV continued to roll from there, and a pair of late kills from Natalie Lemoine-Sells closed it out. 

Another Talia Attieh service ace in the fourth gave UFV a four-point lead at 16-12, as they cruised from there to close out the match. 

Top Performers
Gabrielle Attieh notched two aces and 15 digs for UFV to go with the match leading 16 kills. Lauren Attieh finished with 13 kills and two blocks, while Talia Attieh had four aces, seven kills, and 12 digs. Setter Cailin Bitter had 36 assists, and libero Emily Matsui had 23 digs.

Lauryn Tremblay and Laila Johnston each had 14 kills for the Pandas, while Allie Moore had five blocks.

Notable
Five UFV athletes -- Kristen McBride, Gabrielle Attieh, Natalie Crews, Liz Baird, and Lauren Rommel -- celebrated their final regular season game for the Cascades during Saturday's senior night.

Quotable
UFV outside hitter Gabrielle Attieh

"We learned a lot from last season, and one of our goals from the beginning of this year was to secure the hosting spot, and the win tonight is just a manifestation of a whole year of hard work. It was special to do it collectively because we all contributed, and we are excited because we know we aren't finished yet."

"For me playing tonight, I just tried to really soak up the moment with my teammates on the court, with my sisters on the court, and embracing all the different emotions and feelings that I experienced in the game. I know that's going to stick with me forever, and I'm thankful to be surrounded by people that make competing exciting and safe."

Up Next
The Cascades secured the third seed moving into the Canada West Playoffs, and will now host the sixth seeded MacEwan University Griffins in a three-game series next week. Matches are planned for 6 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (if necessary). Tickets are available here.

Alberta meanwhile lands in the fifth seed, and will face off with the fourth seeded Trinity Western Spartans in the first round.