By Cascades Media. The UFV Cascades women’s basketball team will undergo a significant test this weekend against the University of Calgary Dinos in the first round of the Canada West playoffs. The Cascades, currently ranked fifth in the nation, significantly improved their performance in the latter half of the season after some early struggles, but still have a long way to go if they wish to match last season’s CIS Final Eight finish. The Dinos finished fourth in last season’s Final Eight, but also graduated several key players and have not looked as dominant this season.
By contrast, the Cascades did not graduate a single player last season, meaning that they currently field a very similar roster to the one that progressed to nationals last March.
UFV Cascades Team Summary
Conference: Canada West (CIS)
2013-2014 Record: 17-5
Home Record: 9-2 Road Record: 8-3
Standings: 1st Regular Season (Pacific division)
CIS Ranking: 5th
Head Coach: Al Tuchscherer (12th year at UFV)
Players to Watch: Aieisha Luyken, Sarah Wierks, Kayli Sartori
UFV Cascades Quick Facts
Graduating Players: Aieisha Luyken, Nicole Wierks, Courtney Bartel, Samantha Kurath, Alexa McCarthy
-The Cascades are third in the Canada West in scoring offense, averaging 70.2 points per game. They are also the top team in scoring defense, holding their opponents to an average of 53.3 pointers per game.
-The Cascades lead the conference in steals with 264 during their 22 game regular season (an average of 12 per game).
-Last season UFV finished eighth at the CIS Final Eight tournament. 2013 was the first time the Cascades had ever attended nationals.
-Sarah Wierks leads the Canada West in offensive rebounds, averaging 4.1 per game. She is eighth all-time among conference players with 310 offensive rebounds over her four-year CW career.
Calgary Dinos Team Summary
Conference: Canada West (CIS)
2013-2014 Record: 13-9
Home Record: 8-3 Road Record: 5-6
Standings: 4th Regular Season (Prairie division)
CIS Ranking: N/A
Head Coach: Damian Jennings (2nd year at Calgary)
Players to Watch: Tamara Jarrett, Kristie Shells, Ashley Hirons
Calgary Dinos Quick Facts
Graduating Players: Tamara Jarrett
-Dino Tamara Jarrett is thirteenth among Canada West scoring leaders, averaging 13.5 points per game. She has been Calgary’s top scorer in 13 games this season
-In 2012-2013 the Dinos went 19-3 in during the regular season and finished fourth in the CIS Final Eight.
– Calgary is third in the Canada West in rebounding this season, averaging 42.8 rebounds per game.
Women’s Quarter-final Schedule (Best two out of three series)
Feb 27: Calgary Dinos @ UFV Cascades (7 pm)
Feb 28: Calgary Dinos @ UFV Cascades (7 pm)
*Mar 1: Calgary Dinos @ UFV Cascades (7 pm)
*If necessary
All games will take place at the Envision Athletic Centre in Abbotsford, BC.
Watch the game online at canadawest.tv