By Marc Fitzgerald

Abbotsford/Chilliwack - The University of the Fraser Valley men’s and women’s volleyball teams are heading to the PACWEST Conference playoffs this weekend.  The women are the number two seed after finishing second with a 20-4 regular season record, they will have a bye on Thursday and move directly into semi-final one on Friday, February 23, 2012.  The Cascades are one to two wins away from a trip to the CCAA National Championship tournament, hosted by VIU, in Nanaimo, BC. The men’s team qualified as the sixth place team in the PACWEST Conference with a 7-17 record.  The Cascades will face their arch rivals CBC Bearcats the number three seed on Thursday, February 23, at Douglas College, in the quarterfinal.  The Cascades will need to win three matches on the weekend to qualify for the CCAA National Championship tournament, hosted by CBC, in Abbotsford, BC.          

The Cascades women’s team have had an excellent year nationally ranked in the CCAA top ten poll the entire season, currently 4th in Canada at the college level.  The Cascades have been the recipients of several awards as Kayla Bruce, Surrey, BC (week of October 30th) and Krista Hogewoning, Delta, BC (November 7th) were named PACWEST female volleyball athletes of the week.  Bruce was also named the PACWEST female volleyball athlete of the month for December, 2011.

The Cascades are also in the PACWEST top ten in all numerous statistical categories, Brittany Stewart, Walnut Grove, BC is second in digs with 348, for a 4.30 average.  Kierra Noot, Surrey, BC leads the PACWEST in blocks with 79 for a 1.13 average.  Bruce leads in aces with 71 for a 0.85 average and Jenna Evans, Abbotsford, BC is fourth in kills with 237 for a 3.00 average.  Bruce is the overall total offensive statistics leader with a 4.21 average.     

The Cascades men’s team are led by Alex Dumerton, Abbotsford, BC who is 9th in digs with 163 for a 2.01 average.  Trevor Nickel, Abbotsford, BC is sixth in blocks with 60 for an 0.68 average, Aaron Flanagan, Langley, BC is ranked 8th in kills with 232 for a 2.90 average and also leads the Cascades in total offense with 3.23 average, good for 12th in the PACWEST.  

Playoffs
Women
Friday, February 24          UFV Cascades v Highest remaining seed 1PM
Saturday, February 25     Bronze Medal Game                                       1PM
                                                  or
                                                  Gold Medal Game                                           6PM

Men
Thursday, February 23     UFV Cascades v CBC Bearcats                       8PM*
Friday, February 24            v VIU Mariners (1 Seed)                                 3PM
Saturday, February 25      Bronze Medal Game                                        3PM*
                                                   or
                                                   Gold Medal Match                                            8PM*    
*If UFV men win Thursday will be guaranteed match on Friday and Saturday, if lose on Thursday, eliminated from post season.

Men’s and Women’s Basketball
Cascades continue to climb the CIS “Mountain”
Men now ranked 4th in Canada highest ranking in school history and Women move to 9th for second time this year  

The Cascades men’s basketball team are now ranked 4th in Canada the highest ranking in the school’s six year affiliation with the CIS.  UFV finished the regular season 13-5, good for second place in the Pacific Division and have been nationally ranked the entire Canada West regular season.  The Cascades are preparing to host their first ever playoff series at Envision Athletic Centre, February 23-25 against the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.   In their only meeting in the 2011-12 regular season; Lethbridge defeated UFV, 87-78, at the Envision Athletic Centre.  The loss was the only one UFV would suffer on their home court all year.

Canada West Quarterfinal (2 out of 3 playoff series)
Thursday, February 23  Lethbridge @ UFV 8PM
Friday, February 24        Lethbridge @ UFV 8PM
Saturday, February 25  Lethbridge @ UFV 7PM*

*If needed

The women’s basketball team are 9th in the CIS top ten poll, a school record seven weeks in the top ten and this marks the second time this year they have hit 9th in Canada.  The Cascades finished second in the Pacific Division with a 12-6 record and will host the University of Calgary Dinos the weekend of February 23-25 in the first round of the Canada West playoffs.  The Cascades defeated Calgary, 88-71, in their only Canada West regular season meeting, at the Envision Athletic Centre. 
   
Canada West Quarterfinal (2 out of 3 playoff series)
Thursday, February 23   Calgary @ UFV 6PM
Friday, February 24         Calgary @ UFV 6PM
Saturday, February 25    Calgary @ UFV 5PM*

*If needed

For more information on UFV Cascades athletics contact David Kent, Sports Information, 604-309-7658  david.kent@ufv.ca

Comments

Posted by: loveinchilliwack on February 22 2012 8:00 PM

Sounds like quite the accomplishment. I hope they are able to do well!