(FREDERICTON, NB) The Sherbrooke Vert et Or scored a straight sets win over the UNB REDS on Friday, in RSEQ men’s volleyball action, at UNB’s Richard J. Currie Center.
Sherbrooke won with scores of 25-22, 25-19 and 25-19.
“It was our first game after our Christmas break, so there were a bit of nerves and stress, but we feel pretty good,” said Sherbrooke hitter Yoan David (Sherbrooke, QC). “The first set, we were trying to get our game back, but I think we did a pretty good job and I think we’re proud of the performance we gave.”
The two teams played a mostly even first set and were level, 13-13 and again 16-16, midway through.
The Vert et Or scored six of the next eight points, taking a 22-18 lead on their way to a 25-22 opening set win.
Sherbrooke fashioned a 12-8 lead in the second set.
UNB responded, but couldn’t close the gap completely, dropping the second set 25-19.
The REDS used some strong serving to grab momentum early in the third set.
UNB got aces from Rafael Hilario (Rio de Janeiro, BRA) and Shamus Cormier (Bathurst, NB) in establishing a 5-4 lead.
The visitors surged back, leading 10-8 and 19-16 before closing out the straight sets victory with another 25-19 win.
“As a team, I felt we started quite well in the first set,” said Hilario. “Compared to other games, we were able to minimize the errors during the match.”
“I think we were able to manage their serves quite well,” he added. “We just need to find a way to be more efficient on the attack.”
David led the Vert et Or with 17 kills and six digs.
Julien Vanier (Saint-Hippolyte, QC) added 12 kills and Jonathan Portelance (Sherbrooke, QC) registerd 39 assists.
For the REDS, Hillario had a team-high eight kills while Noah Boudreau (Greenfield, NS) added seven.
Emil Pedersen (Slagelse, DEN) had six digs and Nick Glynn (Fredericton, NB) set 19 assists.
“I think we put them in difficulty and we had some good blocks,” said David of the Sherbrooke effort. “We passed really well, so we had a lot of one-on-one situations and that made a big difference.”
The REDS are now 0-and-9 in RSEQ regular season play, while the league-leading Vert et Or improve to 8-and-1.
Despite Friday’s loss, Hilario says there were positives.
“Hitting wise, I was not efficient tonight, but I thought serving and passing were pretty good, so I can take that into tomorrow.
The REDS and Vert et Or will conclude their weekend series on Saturday.
First serve is scheduled for 3:00pm Atlantic.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics