(FREDERICTON, NB) The Saint Mary’s Huskies defeated the REDS women’s volleyball 3-1 on Friday in Atlantic University Sport women’s volleyball action at UNB’s Richard J. Currie Center.
The Huskies won 16-25, 26-24, 25-21, and 25-14.
“We tend to put ourselves in ruts,” said REDS’ captain Jenna Adams (Truro, NS), who led UNB with a game-high 28 digs. “They were picking apart our serve-receive. We have a bunch of a new people servicing, and new ways, and they did a good job picking that apart and if we can’t pass, we can’t set the ball to get a good hit.”
The REDS took command of the opening set, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. Demonstrating effective communication and defensive strength, they widened their advantage to 8-3 and then 12-6. With confident serves and a strong net presence from Lydia Green (Bedford, NS), UNB closed the set 25-16.
In the second set, the teams were neck-and-neck, with the REDS trailing narrowly at 4-3. A tense exchange of points followed as Saint Mary’s pushed ahead 11-9, prompting a timeout by UNB. The Huskies extended their lead to 15-10, but the REDS battled back. Despite their effort and an exchange of rallies that tied the score at 24-24, the Huskies managed to prevail, winning the set 26-24.
The third set featured another close fight, with the score locked 2-2 before the REDS claimed a slight 6-4 lead. The teams kept it close, but Saint Mary’s made a late push and won 25-21.
In the fourth set, Saint Mary’s took immediate control, racing to an 8-0 advantage behind a dominant serving streak by Grace Blaskovits (Kelowna, BC). The REDS struggled to counter the Huskies’ relentless offense, as the gap widened to 18-6 and eventually 21-7. Saint Mary’s closed out the set comfortably, 25-14, sealing their victory.
“At the end, in that fourth set, it definitely got better,” said Adams. “We definitely have that momentum that we want to bring in to tomorrow. I don’t think we want to do that again. It was definitely a learning experience.”
Breanna Golding (Pickering, ON) led the Huskies with nine kills and 20 digs.
Talia Nixon (Fredericton, NB) had a game-high 35 assists in UNB’s losing cause, while Green and Sonya Nielsen (Morrin, AB) each had 10 kills.
The REDS, now 0-and-3, will have a chance to redeem themselves on Saturday afternoon when they meet the Huskies, now 1-and-2, again. Game time is scheduled for 3:00pm.
RECAP BY: Annabelle Jewett/for UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics