Halifax – The Saint Mary’s University Huskies Women’s Volleyball team won their second home game against Universite de Moncton in straight sets this weekend, propelling themselves to the top of the AUS standings, as one of two unbeaten teams remaining, along with Acadia.
The opening set saw the Huskies come out firing pacing themselves to an early 7-2 lead. The Aigles Bleus, lead by Abigail Pallister, raced back to even the score at 11-11, before faltering with several attack errors. The remainder of the first set was a back-and-forth affair, with the Huskies led by Olivia Bell (LaHave, NS / Commerce) and Jakobie Friesen (Barrie, ON / Science) to a first set win of 25 – 21.
Up one set to none the Aigles Bleus appeared reinvigorated, trading points with the Huskies making it 5 – 7 for the Huskies early in the second. Anica Jestratijevic (Arandjelovac, Serbia / MBA) helped the Huskies break the deadlock, pushing her team on a 6 point run to put the Huskies ahead 13-5 in the middle of the set. Claudie Chiasson of the Aigles Bleus helped to break the slide, going on a 4-point run herself, which included 2 aces. The remainder of the set was back and forth until Bell put the set to bed with a kill, with a 25 – 19 win.
In the third set Saint Mary’s seemed to be cruising to a straight set victory, pulling out front early to a 11-3 lead, but the persistent Aigles Bleus continued to fight back, but lost steam as the set went on, ultimately falling 25 – 14 to the Huskies on the set, for a straight sets win for the Huskies.
SMU’s Anica Jestratijevic earned her AUS Subway Player of the Game, finishing with 5 kills, to go along with 2 blocks. Megan Bruhm (Hubley, NS / Commerce) led the Huskies with 11 kills, while Moncton was led by Anne Paquette with 8 kills.
The Huskies return to the court next Saturday at the Homburg Centre against cross town rival, Dalhousie Tigers. Service is at 7pm.
The Universite de Moncton Aigles Bleus are on the road once again, visiting the Dalhousie Tigers on Friday night at 7pm at the Dalplex.
Source: SMU Athletics
Photo Credit: Nick Pearce