ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – The UFV Cascades picked up their fifth consecutive victory over a nationally ranked opponent with a three-set sweep (25-22, 27-25, 25-22) of the Calgary Dinos on Saturday evening at the UFV Athletic Centre.
With the win, the Cascades have now won nine of their last 10 matches to move to 9-5 on the year and pull themselves level with the Dinos, Mount Royal and Winnipeg in a four-way tie for third in Canada West.
The Cascades grabbed a 22-16 lead in the first set thanks in part to four timely blocks from Mo Likness, on their way to take it 25-22.
The Dinos bounced back to build a 17-13 advantage in the second, but the Cascades pushed back to level the score at 22 after an Elizabeth Baird service run. The teams traded points back and forth, but Natalie Lemoine-Sells picked up two kills in the last three points to help her team to a 27-25 set win.
Calgary took an early 6-1 lead in the third, but a 16-7 run from UFV gave them back a 17-13 advantage. The teams once again found themselves tied at 22, but a Baird ace and two kills from Attieh sealed it for the Cascades.
Natalie Lemoine-Sells shined offensively once again for the Cascades, picking up 11 kills on 21 attacks, while only being credited with one error on the night.
Gabrielle Attieh posted team-highs on both sides of the ball, notching 16 kills and 13 digs in the effort.
Daisy Olsen led the Dinos with 13 kills and added eight digs, while teammate Sammi Boag posted 10 kills and 11 digs in the defeat.
The Cascades now head on the road to Edmonton next weekend to face the MacEwan Griffins on Friday and Saturday, while Calgary will play host to Winnipeg next week. All Canada West matches are available to be streamed live on Canada West TV.