VB: Explosive UFV hitter, versatile TRU setter shine in sweeps
Matsui, Napolitano named CW Players of the Week
CALGARY - Fraser Valley's Amanda Matsui and Thompson Rivers' Anton Napolitano were named the Canada West Volleyball Players of the Week by the conference on Tuesday.
In what was an exciting (and long-awaited) home debut for the Fraser Valley Cascades, Matsui seized the spotlight. The fourth-year outside hitter tucked away 13 kills in Friday's match with the Thompson Rivers WolfPack. She also hit the deck for 7 digs, putting up 14 points in the team's first-ever win on home court.
She doubled her production the next night, posting a dominant 26 kills to the elation of the hometown crowd. She showed her grit in the third set, burying a gutsy swing from the right side to clinch the set 25-23.
To sweeten the deal, she worked with efficiency Saturday night, posting a hitting percentage of .396. The Port Coquitlam, BC product also counted 11 digs and 28 points in the match.
The two wins bring the Cascades back to .500 on the season.
Fraser Valley (5-5) is now set for a key match-up Friday and Saturday when they host British Columbia (5-5). First serve is slated for 8 p.m. and 6 p.m. respectively.
Game log:
Feb. 4: 13 kills, .029 K%, 1 SA, 7 digs, 14 pts in 3-1 W vs TRU
Feb. 5: 26 kills, .396 K%, 1 SA, 11 digs, 28 points in 3-2 W vs TRU
Meanwhile, on the men's side, TRU's Napolitano played spoiler to Fraser Valley's first-ever volleyball games on home court.
The fifth-year setter did it all, tucking away six kills, notching 17 assists, blocking four hits, and putting up 11 digs Friday night in a 3-0 sweep of the Cascades.
He showed up big in crunch time, posting clutch back-to-back kills in the first set to put his team up 21-18 before they cruised to victory.
The Melbourne, AUS product sailed in three service aces the next night, posting another 5 kills, 18 assists and 11 digs in a 3-2 win.
He didn't tire in the WolfPack's third straight match of the weekend, adding another three blocks, two aces, 16 assists, 11 digs and four kills as TRU swept the Cascades on the road.
The WolfPack (5-7) will be back in action Wednesday, this time playing host to UFV (0-10) at 5 p.m. They then host Trinity Western (10-0) Friday and Saturday at 5 p.m. and 2 p.m. respectively.
Game log:
Feb. 4: 6 kills, 17 assists, 1 SA, 4 blocks, 11 digs, 10.5 points in 3-0 W at UFV
Feb. 5: 5 kills, 18 assists, 3 SA, 11 digs, 8 points in 3-2 W at UFV
Feb. 6: 4 kills, 16 assists, 2 SA, 3 blocks, 11 digs, 14 points in 3-1 W at UFV