Abbotsford – NATIONAL RANKINGS: Wrestling, women’s volleyball programs in top 10
The Cascades men’s and women’s wrestling teams both carved out spots in the first U SPORTS top 10 poll of 2019, while the women’s volleyball squad maintained a mention in the CCAA national rankings.
The UFV men’s wrestlers check in at No. 3 in the latest edition of the U SPORTS top 10, following a solid performance at the Golden Bear Invitational in Edmonton on the weekend. They’ve moved up one spot since the last rankings, released in late November, with a number of wrestlers ranked individually in their respective weight classes, including top-three spots for Brad Hildenbrandt (2nd, 120 kg), Karan Dhillon (2nd, 82 kg) and Parker McBride (3rd, 57 kg).
The Cascades women, meanwhile, are No. 8 in the nation – precisely the position they were in to close 2018. Three UFV women are ranked individually: Ana Godinez Gonzalez (2nd, 63 kg), Amber Wiebe (51 kg) and Calista Espinosa (6th, 48 kg).
The Cascades women’s volleyballers dropped one spot in the CCAA national poll, from No. 8 to No. 9, after splitting with No. 12-ranked Camosun at home.
CCAA women’s volleyball rankings
Men’s Basketball: Toor’s double-doubles net second star nod
Back-to-back double-doubles are an impressive accomplishment for any player, but even more so when you’re posting double-digit points and rebounds as a six-foot point guard. That’s precisely the feat that Vick Toor authored in leading the UFV men’s basketball team to a weekend split in a pair of tough road games at UVic.
Toor, a sophomore from Kent, Wash., racked up season highs for points (21) and rebounds (14) on Friday along with five assists, sparking the Cascades to a 98-94 triumph over the Vikes. He also sparkled in Saturday’s rematch, posting 17 points and 11 boards, but UVic managed a 78-75 victory to snap UFV’s 10-game win streak.
Toor and the Cascades (11-5) are on a bye week before returning to action Jan. 25-26 against the reigning U SPORTS national champion Calgary Dinos.
The other Canada West men’s stars of the week were Zach Sawchenko (Alberta Golden Bears, hockey) and Seth Friesen (Brandon Bobcats, volleyball).
Women’s Volleyball : Prolific performances yield athlete of the week award for Matsui
Amanda Matsui had an outstanding weekend on behalf of the UFV women’s volleyball team, leading the Cascades to a weekend split against the Camosun Chargers in a clash of nationally ranked teams.
The sophomore left side from Port Coquitlam, B.C. was a dominant force on Friday, racking up 20 kills on 36 per cent efficiency along with 15 digs, but the Chargers were able to rally for a five-set win. On Saturday, the Cascades gained a measure of revenge in emphatic fashion, winning in three straight sets. Matsui posted a team-high nine kills and 11 digs as the UFV squad improved to 9-5 in PACWEST play.
The Cascades volleyball teams are back in action at home this weekend, hosting the College of the Rockies Avalanche on Saturday (women 5 p.m., men 7 p.m.) and Sunday (women 11 a.m., men 1 p.m.) at the Envision Financial Athletic Centre.
