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SFU ready for home court rewards

Home sweet home. The Simon Fraser University women’s volleyball team will take to the West Gym court tonight looking to convert the lessons learned at the 36-team West Region Showcase last week in San Bernardino, Cal.
SFU volleyball
Simon Fraser University's Nicole Chevrier, at left, and Kirsten Pinkney put up the blocks during action last year on Burnaby Mountain. The women's volleyball team kicks off its first home game tonight (Thursday) as part of their Red Night Cup Cake Festival.

Home sweet home.

The Simon Fraser University women’s volleyball team will take to the West Gym court tonight looking to convert the lessons learned at the 36-team West Region Showcase last week in San Bernardino, Cal.

The women finished the series with a 2-2 record against top-notch competition, beating Cal State San Marcos and Point Loma.

Shaking off an opening match 3-0 loss to Cal State San Bernardino, SFU rode a 10-kill, 12-dig performance from outside hitter Betsie de Beer to blank San Marcos 3-0 (25-18, 25-16, 28-26). De Beer, a senior, entered the contest with a hot hand, having recorded 41 kills and 50 digs over four previous games. She now sits 10th in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with a .266 hitting percentage, averaging 2.73 kills and 3.33 digs per set.

Teammate Kirsten Pinkney converted 11 kills in 34 attempts against San Marcos, while Burnaby’s Bianca Te also hit double digits in digs. Junior Julia Tays netted 40 of the team’s 44 assists.

They followed that with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory (21-25, 25-16, 25-13, 25-11) over Point Loma. Nicole Chevier set the tone with 11 kills in 19 attempts, while playing error-free defence. Pinkney tapped in for 15 kills, and de Beer added 12.

 SFU closed out the tournament with a 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-20) loss to Biola. The fourth game, where the two teams stood deadlocked 20-20, as the turning point. The Clan were out-blocked 10-3, despite more strong play from Pinkney (14 kills) and de Beer (12).

For Thursday’s match-up, SFU will host it’s Red Night Cup Cake Festival as part of the night’s proceedings, when they’ll face Central Washington at 7 p.m. on Burnaby Mountain.