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Bearcats men, Cascades women advance at volleyball provincials

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UFV's Trevor Nickel keeps his eye on the ball during BCCAA quarter-final action against Columbia Bible College on Thursday in Kelowna.

The Columbia Bible College men's volleyball team punched its ticket to the provincial semifinals with an opening-round victory over their crosstown rivals on Thursday.At the B.C. Colleges Athletic Association (BCCAA) playoff tourney in Kelowna, the third-seeded Bearcats beat the No. 6 seed UFV Cascades in straight sets (25-23, 25-19, 25-19). CBC moves on to face the Douglas Royals in the semifinals on Friday.Will Quiring of the Bearcats notched a game-high 12 kills, while Danny Grant had three blocks, two of which came in the third set to finish off a pair of long and exciting rallies. Grant and UFV's Aaron Flanagan were named players of the match for their respective teams.The UFV women also advanced, beating the Camosun Chargers in straight sets (25-18, 25-17, 25-20) behind a big game from Jenna Evans (seven kills, 12 digs). They face the host UBC-Okanagan Heat in the semis.The Bearcats women were knocked out in the opening round, dropping a three-set decision to Capilano (25-19, 25-19, 25-10). Rookie setter Anna Cupido was CBC's player of the match.BEARCATS HONOURED BY BCCAAThe CBC men made an impressive haul earlier in the week as the BCCAA announced its volleyball award winners.Fourth-year outside hitter Matt Kaminski and head coach Rocky Olfert led the way. Kaminski, fourth in the league in kills and total offence, was named a first team all-star. Olfert, who piloted the team to a third-place finish in the regular season at 9-5, was named coach of the year.Additionally, Grant and setter Jason Warkentin were second team all-stars, while Quiring and libero Justin Wood were named to the all-rookie team.The UFV volleyball program was also recognized by the BCCAA. The Cascades women had a trio of all-stars: Kayla Bruce was a first-teamer after leading the league in total offence, and Brittany Stewart and Denise Joy Francisco were second-teamers. Flanagan, a fourth-year right side, represented the UFV men on the second all-star team.