FREDERICTON, NB – The Saint Mary’s Huskies won their sixth straight match, defeating the UNB REDS in five sets (25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 14-25, 15-8) in Atlantic University Sport women’s volleyball action Friday night at UNB’s Richard J. Currie Center.
The Huskies were led by All-Canadian left side Olivia Bell (LaHave Islands, NS), who delivered a stellar performance with 14 kills, five service aces, and 21 digs. Megan Bruhm (Hubley, NS) also played a crucial role, adding 13 kills, three aces, and 11 digs.
Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC) led the REDS with 14 kills and five service aces, while Lydia Green (Bedford, NS) and Isla Olesen (Calgary, AB) both finished with nine kills apiece. Jenna Adams (Truro, NS) was outstanding on defense for UNB finishing with 31 digs, and was named Tim Horton’s player of the game for UNB.
In the closely contested first set, both teams engaged in a back-and-forth battle. A kill from Bell sparked a three-point run for the Huskies, giving them a 13-10 lead. The REDS managed to crawl back, exchanging points with the Huskies, and eventually tying the game at 21-21 on a service ace from Emily Wezeman (Port Moody, BC). Unfortunately, errors plagued the REDS, as four consecutive errors allowed the Huskies to secure the opening set with a score of 25-21.
The second set proved equally competitive. Talia Nixon’s back-to-back kills helped UNB take an early 7-5 lead. However, the Huskies responded with a 3-0 run, off a kill from Alena Piatukhova (Minsk, Belarus) and an ace from Bruhm, giving them an 8-7 lead. The REDS were able to use a 5-1 run to close out the second set 25-23 on a decisive kill from Talia Nixon.
The third set was all Saint Mary’s as a dominant 7-1 run midway through the set allowed them to take a commanding 19-13 lead. The Huskies would go on to close out the set with a convincing 6-1 run, securing a 25-16 set win.
The REDS responded in the fourth set, jumping out to an early 7-3 lead thanks to consecutive kills from Oleson to start the set. UNB was able to maintain their momentum with an 8-1 run to take a commanding 18-10 lead. A decisive kill from Daniell Kyzywonos (Valley, NS) sealed the deal, closing out the fourth set with a score of 25-14 and pushing the match into a fifth and deciding set.
The fifth set began with an ace from Anna Liniewski (Burnaby, BC), initiating a 2-0 run for Saint Mary’s. Despite UNB’s efforts to even the score, Saint Mary’s utilized a 4-0 run to take a 6-2 lead, eventually extending their control to 11-3. Although the REDS made a late comeback with two kills from Benko and an ace from Catherine Burns (Fredericton, NB), Saint Mary’s closed out the match with a 15-8 set victory, securing the overall win.
The Huskies sixth straight win improves their record to a conference leading 10-3 on the season, while the REDS drop to 7-6. The REDS and Huskies will conclude their two-game weekend series on Saturday. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
Recap by: Evan Richtsfeld / UNB Athletics
Photos by: James West / for UNB Athletics