REDS Fall To Huskies

(HALIFAX, NS) The Saint Mary’s Huskies defeated the UNB REDS three sets to one (27-29, 26-24, 25-17, 25-18) in a thrilling match on Saturday night at SMU’s Homburg Centre, in Halifax.

The Huskies got off to a good start, with three straight service aces from left side Olivia Bell (Lahave Islands, NS) giving the home team a 6-0 lead and forcing the REDS to call time-out. But UNB came storming back, thanks in part to some great play from outside hitters Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC) and Lydia Green (Bedford, NS), who combined for six kills, with Benko adding a pair of service aces. 

A kill from middle Anna Linewski (Burnaby, BC) gave the Huskies a 22-18 lead, but the REDS went on a run to tie the match at 23-23. The Huskies took several single point leads, but the REDS were able to answer every time, and three straight points off service from setter Catherine Burns (Fredericton, NB), capped by a Benko kill, gave the REDS the 29-27 first set victory.

The Huskies came out in the second set determined, taking an early 3-0 lead, but the REDS were able to erase it once again, tying the set 3-3. The teams stayed close for the remainder of the set, and after another Benko kill tied the set at 24-24, back-to-back kills from Bell and Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) gave the Huskies the 26-24 second set victory, tying the match at one set apiece. 

The third was more of the same, the two teams remained extremely close on the scoreboard, with neither team making a lead of more than two points. The REDS led 17-16, when a kill by Mikanovich tied it 17-17. That was the start of an eight-point Huskies run, with Mikanovich finishing it with a kill to take the set 25-17 and a 2-1 lead.

The fourth set started tight with a kill from REDS outside hitter Talia Nixon (Fredericton, NB) tying the set 12-12. But the Huskies went on a four-point run behind Bell’s service. A Bell kill extended the lead to 18-13. The REDS were able to cut into the lead, but another Bell kill finished the set 25-18, giving the Huskies the four-set victory. 

The Huskies attack was led by Mikanovich, named player of the game, who recorded a game-high 17 kills and 13 digs. Bell chipped in 13 kills, four aces, 10 digs and two blocks.

The REDS were led by Green with nine kills, seven digs and four blocks, and Benko with eight kills, seven digs, two aces and a block. Burns chipped in a team-high 28 assists, and added three kills and two aces. 

The win improves the Huskies record to 6-3, while the REDS record drops to 5-4.

The two teams will be back in action on Sunday. First serve is scheduled for 2:00pm.

RECAP BY: Allan April/SMU Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Eduardo Ibarra/for SMU Athletics