(FREDERICTON, NB) The Laval Rouge et Or scored a straight-sets victory over the UNB REDS in RSEQ men’s volleyball action Saturday at UNB’s Richard J. Currie Center.
Laval triumphed with set scores of 25-23, 25-17, and 25-14, completing a clean sweep of the two-game weekend series over UNB.
Nicolas Fortin (Clermont, QC) led the way for the Rouge et Or, amassing 15 kills, three digs, a service ace, and a block to be named Tim Horton’s Player of the Game, for the second match in a row.
UNB was led by first-year outside hitter Holden Cadden (Fall River, NS), who contributed eight kills and five digs in a valiant effort.
“I think we were just a little down after last night’s game,” said Cadden. “We didn’t bring what we needed to come back and give a real showing and we kind of let them take it early. We didn’t really give a big fight back which I thought we had yesterday we just didn’t bring it today.”
Errors got the best of REDS in the first set.
Four UNB attack errors allowed the Rouge et Or to go on a 7-0 run, giving them an 11-4 lead. UNB countered with a three-point run, narrowing the gap to 11-8. The teams exchanged points before three consecutive kills from Cadden brought UNB within three, at 16-13.
“I thought I went out there and did what I had to do,” said Cadden. “When I get the opportunity, I just want to go in there and help my team and I thought I did that well today.”
UNB made a late charge in the set, closing the gap to 22-21 with a kill from Lex Guimond (Baie-Sainte Anne, NB). However, their comeback fell short as the Rouge et Or went on to secure the first set 25-23.
The teams exchanged points to start the second set with both not giving an inch until a four-point run propelled the Rouge et Or to a 13-10 lead.
UNB swiftly replied with a three-point run, leveling the set at 13-13.
From that point, Laval seized control, scoring 12 of the next 16 points to secure the second set with a score of 25-17.
In the third set, Laval jumped out to a quick 8-4 lead thanks Tereel Tchouassi (Carcassonne, France) who had two kills and a service ace in the early run.
UNB answered with back-to-back kills from Kieran Brost (Dartmouth, NS) to close it to 8-6.
The teams traded points before Fortin took over for Laval will two kills and a block on a 7-0 run to take a commanding 16-9 lead.
Laval finished the third set on a 5-2 run to win the set 25-14 and take the victory in straight sets.
UNB travels to Halifax next weekend to take on the Dalhousie Tigers. That two-game series opens Friday at 8:00pm.
“I think we need to know as a team that we’re never out of it and to keep fighting no matter what. Things aren’t always going to go our way and we have to keep pushing and want it more than they do.”
Laval visits the Sherbrooke Vert er Or on Friday.
Recap by: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics
Photos by: James West/for UNB Athletics