Axewomen take game two of AUS semifinal in three sets

HALIFAX, NS – Acadia’s Jenna Lake scored a game-high 15 points and 13 kills in helping lead the Axewomen to a three-set win over the Saint Mary’s Huskies (25-10, 26-24, 25-22) in game two of the AUS best-of-three semifinal on Friday night at the Homburg Centre.

The Axewomen got off to a hot start in the first set, opening up an early 7-1 lead thanks in part to some strong play at the net from middle Erica Fisher (Middle Stewiacke, NS), who had four blocks in the first set alone. The Huskies were able to cut the lead to 15-7, but the Axewomen trio of Fisher, Jenna Lake (Conception Bay South, NL) and Sydney Zakutney (Ottawa, ON) were dominant, combining for 17.5 first set points and the Axewomen won the first set 25-10.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Axewomen take the first set 25-10, led by some great play from middle Erica Fisher.

Watch live: https://t.co/OVdhvfl2OS pic.twitter.com/xaSCbHbakN

— Saint Mary’s Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 24, 2023

In the second set, the Axewomen once again opened up a quick 6-2 lead, but the Huskies responded, as middle Madison Hann (Conqueral Mills, NS) had several blocks to start to tilt the battle at the net in the Huskies direction.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Madison Hann wins this battle at the net with a huge block, cutting the Axewomen lead to 6-4 in the second set. pic.twitter.com/4C8nbSidcB

— Saint Mary’s Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 24, 2023

Saint Mary’s was able to make a five point run behind the service of middle Alena Piatukhova (Minsk, Belarus) and a kill from Olivia Bell (LaHave, NS) extended their lead to 17-13. But the Axewomen were able to claw their way back behind Zakutney’s service, and tied it up 18-18.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

An ace by Alena Piatukhova followed up by a big kill from Olivia Bell and the Huskies open up a 16-13 second set lead! pic.twitter.com/wxbGFnUJbp

— Saint Mary’s Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 24, 2023

The two teams continued to battle back-and-forth, with neither team able to create more than a point of separation, and Acadia’s Jenna Lake took over late, scoring three of the final five points to give the Axewomen a 26-24 come-from-behind second set win.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Axewomen take the second set 26-24, and take a 2-0 lead into a pivotal third set. pic.twitter.com/5IxXrz1Arl

— Saint Mary’s Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 24, 2023

The third set was more of the same; Saint Mary’s opened up a 6-3 lead, but the Axewomen went on a five-point run to take the 8-6 advantage. The back-and-forth battle continued, with some great play by Axewomen middle Wesley-Ann Bailey (Ottawa, ON) and Huskies Olivia Bell carrying their respective teams. A kill by Madison Hann cut the Axewomen lead to 22-20, but Acadia was able to close it out, with a kill from setter Charlotte Dean (Mississauga, ON) giving them the three set victory (25-10, 26-24, 25-22).

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Charlotte Dean finishes off the third set and the Axewomen take game two of the best-of-three semifinal, 25-10, 26-24, 25-22. pic.twitter.com/xdWmUSI9TF

— Saint Mary’s Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 25, 2023

Axewomen outside hitter Jenna Lake was named Subway Player of the Game, recording a game-high 15 points, 13 kills, and added 10 digs, two assists, a block and a service ace. Teammate Sydney Zakutney added 12 points on nine kills, two service aces, two blocks and 13 digs, Charlotte Dean added a game-high 29 assists, and the Axewomen dominated play at the net, recording 10 blocks to the Huskies seven.

Huskies outside hitter Megan Bruhm (Hubley, NS) was named Subway Player of the Game for the Huskies, recording six kills, nine digs and a block. Olivia Bell led the team with 11 kills, while Emilia Mikanovich added 17 digs, two kills and two assists.

With each team having won a game, the decisive game three of the semifinal series will take place Saturday night at the Homburg Centre, with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary’s Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary’s Huskies Athletics