The University of the Fraser Valley women's volleyball team confirmed its elite status on Friday evening, knocking off the No. 1-ranked team in Canada, the Vancouver Island University Mariners.
The Cascades started slowly against the Mariners, CCAA silver medallists last season, dropping the first set 25-15. But UFV came back to take three of the next four, capped by a 15-12 win in the decisive fifth set.
Jenna Evans (17 kills) and Krista Hogewoning (16 kills) led the Cascades offence, while Kierra Noot posted six blocks.
The Mariners bounced back to win Saturday's rematch in four sets, but that loss did little to take the shine off a terrific weekend for the Cascades.
“It was a good win against a very good team," pointed out UFV coach Denis Bokenfohr, whose team is ranked No. 8 nationally with a 7-1 record. "We knew coming in that they were ranked No. 1 in Canada, but we believed that if we executed a solid game plan that we could get the victory."
The Cascades men (3-5) were swept at home by their Mariners counterparts, falling in five sets Friday and three sets Saturday.
BEARCATS MEN CONTINUE TO ROLL
Across town at Columbia Bible College, the Bearcats men burnished their PACWest-leading record with a pair of wins over the Camosun Chargers.
The defending national champs are currently ranked No. 5 in Canada, and they won in straight sets on Friday and four sets Saturday, improving to 7-1 in the process. Will Quiring led the Bearcats' offence both days, racking up 15 kills Friday and 19 Saturday.
The Bearcats women (3-5) turned in a solid weekend split against the Chargers, who came in ranked No. 13 nationally. They won in four sets on Friday before dropping a four-set decision Saturday.
• The Cascades volleyball teams are at home this weekend, hosting the Capilano Blues on Friday (women 5:30 p.m., men 7:45 p.m.) and Saturday (women 12 p.m., men 1:45 p.m.). The Bearcats hit the road to face the Douglas College Royals.