Cascades drop five-set marathon to Camosun

Video Box Score

Team Stats

Photo Credit: Kevin Light Photography
Photo Credit: Kevin Light Photography

In women’s action Friday night, the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades gave the top ranked Camosun College Chargers all they could handle, before ultimately succumbing in five sets on the road in Victoria.

Taking on the Camosun Chargers, last season’s CCAA bronze medalists and the current No. 3-ranked team in the nation, the Cascades took two of the first three sets and held a five-point lead in the latter stages of the fourth. 

But the host Chargers rallied to steal a 25-23 win in the fourth set, and they finished off the match in five (23-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23, 15-9).

In the aftermath, Cascades head coach Mike Gilray noted that his team “probably should have won in four,” but felt they made great strides as a group. “I thought this was the best game we’ve played the entire year,” he said. “It was a two-hour marathon, point for point most of the way, and we got better as a team. We’re hoping to get better again tomorrow.” 

The Cascades got another big game from middle Monique Huber, who registered nine kills on 20 attacks despite coming off a week of illness which caused her to miss three practices. Outside hitters Rachel Funk (12 kills, 10 digs) and Kelly Robertson (10 kills) also excelled for UFV, while libero Amy Davidson racked up 16 digs.

Third-year outside hitter Michelle Zygmunt (Abbotsford) and former Cascade led the Chargers to tonight’s victory with 15 kills and 10 digs. Zygmunt currently leads the PACWEST in aces and total offensive stats; she is second in kills.  

"It was great to see a UFV crew in full force as our previous meeting took place early in preseason and they were hit with injuries that forced athletes to play out of position" said Camosun head coach Chris Dahl. "They proved a more than formidable opponent and to be completely honest, probably deserved a better fate tonight as they served well, passed well and their blocking and defense made it difficult for our side to score consistently.  Our crew is a blend of age and experience, even our numerous rookies possess a wealth of volleyball experience in pressure situations. We worked our way into a fifth set and held our composure."
Camosun improves to 6-1; UFV drops to 2-5 and both teams clash again on Saturday afternoon (1 p.m. start).
 

Dan Kinvig,  UFV Communications Coordinator 

- with files from Bonita Joe, Camosun Athletics Marketing Officer