PacWest volleyball is officially back tonight (Friday), which means men's and women's teams from UFV and CBC are set to hit the court.
The Cascades women's team finished last season as the top-ranked local team, finishing fourth at the PacWest provincials finals. The team finished with a record of nine wins and 15 losses last season.
Key returning players for the UFV women include: Kelly Robertston (10th in the PacWest in kills, 16th in total offence and eighth in digs), Monique Huber (third in aces, 23rd in total offence and 24th in kills) and Rachel Funk (11th in kills, 15th in total offence and 10th in digs).
The team also picked up one of the top servers in the PacWest in Douglas College transfer Jessica Funk.
The women open at home at the Envision Athletic Centre against the Capilano Blues tonight at 6 p.m. The teams then meet again on Saturday at 5 p.m.
The Cascades men's team fell in the quarterfinals in the playoffs, and lost three graduating seniors, including Adam Chaplin. UFV finished fourth in the regular season with a record of 14 wins and 10 losses, and have a youthful roster with six rookies suiting up.
Valuable pieces returning for 2016-17 are: PacWest second team all-star Joel Kleingeltink, Isaiah Dahl (first in PacWest in digs) and Dayton Pagliericci (seventh in blocks).
The men also open at home against the Blues. Games kick off at 8 p.m. on Friday and 7 p.m. on Saturday.
Both CBC Bearcats men's and women's teams are hoping to improve on seasons that saw them miss the playoffs.
The women finished last season with a record of six wins and 18 losses, and will rely on PacWest second team all-star Jodi Enns to lead the way.
The men's team finished with two wins and 22 losses last season, and expect big things from PacWest all-rookie team member Ryan Newman.
CBC opens against the Douglas College Royals in New Westminster tonight (Friday), with the women hitting the court at 6 p.m. and the men at 8 p.m.
They continue the series against the Royals on Saturday at 5 p.m. (women) and 7 p.m. (men).