REDS Fall In Five

(FREDERICTON, NB) The Saint Mary’s Huskies prevailed in a hard-fought five-set match, beating the UNB REDS 3-2 on Saturday in Atlantic University Sport women’s volleyball action at UNB’s Richard J. Currie Center. 

The Huskies won 25-18, 25-20, 19-25, 22-25, and 15-10. 

“I think it shows a lot of resilience from our team,” said REDS’ head coach Lauren Hale-Miller. “Being down 2-0 is pretty tough, so being able to come back and stay committed to what our game plan was and really execute was good for us.”

The REDS had a strong start, but the Huskies fought back, seizing a narrow 7-6 advantage. The two teams went point for point, as Brea De Souza (Oakville, ON) delivered three consecutive serves, propelling SMU to an 18-14 lead. The Huskies kept up the pressure, taking the set 25-18.

The second set began with familiar intensity. Both teams battled fiercely, with a tie at 6-6 and standout kills from Lydia Green (Bedford, NS) helping UNB earn a narrow 9-8 lead. A block by the Huskies shifted momentum, giving them a 15-13 advantage. Despite UNB’s efforts and Green’s impressive play, the Huskies pulled ahead, taking the set with a 25-20 score. 

UNB fought hard to overcome a slow start in the third set. Down 5-1 early, the REDS took a time-out that reignited their energy. Momentum shifted in favor of UNB as they edged ahead 12-10. Patient, well-executed plays helped them maintain their lead. With Green delivering a great strike, the REDS extended their advantage to 22-16. They finished strong to claim the set 25-19.

The REDS built on their momentum in the fourth set, surging to an 8-4 lead. Taven Stevenson (Fall River, NS) delivered strong serves, extending UNB’s advantage to 11-7. Saint Mary’s mounted a comeback, narrowing the gap to 22-20, but UNB stayed composed, clinching the set at 25-22.

In a thrilling final set, the REDS struck first, but the Huskies quickly countered to take a 3-2 lead. Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, BEL) showcased her skills with impressive kills, helping Saint Mary’s push their lead to 6-4. However, Stevenson responded with two critical kills to narrow the gap to 10-7. Regardless of UNB’s efforts, Saint Mary’s held strong and sealed the set and the match at 15-10.

“Fighting it out in a fifth set, you can’t really complain about that,” said Coach Hale-Miller. “You want to win it, obviously, but we made a few errors that we shouldn’t have made in the fifth and it cost us that game, but the fight back to the fifth was good.”

Breanna Golding (Pickering, ON) finished the game with 18 kills and 21 digs for the Huskies while Mikanovich had 17 kills and 19 digs.

Jenna Adams (Truro, NS) led the REDS with a game-high 39 digs while Green and Stevenson recorded 15 and 10 kills respectively.

With the loss, the REDS are 0-and-4, while the Huskies improve to 2-and-2.

UNB returns to home court on Friday, when they welcome the Acadia Axewomen for an 8:00pm start. The Huskies will visit Moncton for a 6:00pm start.

RECAP BY: Annabelle Jewett/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics