Box Score ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – Led by Cam Vanderveen's 12-point performance, the UBC Okanagan Heat men's volleyball team swept the UFV Cascades in straight sets (25-19, 25-22, and 25-19) on the road on Monday afternoon.
The score would be close through the start of the first set, with both teams trading small leads, the largest being multiple three-point leads in favour of the Heat. Leading 16-13 at the technical timeout, the Heat would begin to pull away with a three-point run thanks to a kill and service ace from Max Heppell (Langley, B.C.) and a kill from Vanderveen (Abbotsford, B.C.). The Heat would go on to put as much as six points between them and the Cascades at multiple points through the set, ultimately winning the set 25-19 off a kill from Vanderveen, assisted by rookie setter Zach Van Geel (Calgary).
The Heat would take the early lead in the second set, starting with a three-point run and maintaining their lead through the remainder of the set, gaining as much as a seven-point lead over the hosting squad. The Cascades would put the pressure on the Heat late in the set, going on a four-point run to put them within two points of the Heat lead. However, it would not be enough to put a stop to the Heat's momentum as UBCO took the set 25-22.
The third set would be much the same story as the first set as both teams were essentially locked in their fight to break the tie. Each team would go on multiple three-point runs and earned as much as a three-point lead but neither would be able to truly pull away until late in the set. With kills from Heppell, Vanderveen, and Van Geel, the Heat would go on another three-point run, earning them a four-point lead, 20-16. From there, the Heat would only allow three more points to go the way of the Cascades. Vanderveen would contribute two more kills and a block alongside Teo Ardanaz (Tsawwassen, B.C.) to put the Heat within two points of the win. Ardanaz would add another kill for the match point, then the winning point would come from the unbreakable wall of Ardanaz and Noah Carlson (Sylvan Lake, Alta.), putting up the block to close out the set, 25-19.
Vanderveen would lead the Heat in their winning efforts, contributing 12 points including one ace, four digs, two blocks, and 10 kills, hitting .529 in the afternoon affair. Max Heppell would further the Heat's performance, contributing nine kills, two service aces, and five digs for a total of 11 points.
Caleb Kastelein of Langley, B.C., would lead the Cascades with 14.5 points including 13 kills, five digs, and one service ace. Eduardo Ferreira (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Ryan Adams (Sherwood Park, Alta.) would be the closest behind Kastelein, each adding five points with five kills as well as 10 and four digs respectively.
With the win, the Heat now stand at 7-7 on the season with two more regular season games remaining, while the Cascades drop to 1-15 with no more remaining regular season games.
The Heat will return to Kelowna this weekend to face off against the U SPORTS No. 1-ranked TWU Spartans. Friday's game is set to start at 8 p.m. at The Furnace with tickets available for purchase at the door. All action can also be watched live on CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op.
