(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS denied the Dalhousie Tigers a share of third place in the Atlantic University Sport standings in Friday night’s 3-1 set victory at UNB’s Richard J. Currie Center.
The REDS were victorious in four sets with scores of 25-21, 19-25, 25-21, and 25-16.
Outside hitter, Talia Nixon (Fredericton, NB), earned the Tim Hortons Player of the Game honours with 14 kills for UNB. Lydia Green (Bedford, NS) had 15 kills, and Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC) added nine kills, four service aces, and 16 digs.
Lucy Glen-Carter (Toronto, ON) led the Tigers, with 14 kills and three services aces.
The REDS stormed out to an early 9-3 lead in the first set fueled by a kill from Isla Olsen (Calgary, AB).
The Tigers propelled, chasing the REDS lead when Glen-Carter placed a kill shot inside the REDS boundary line, starting a rally for her team where they would tie the match 10-10.
Dalhousie continued to show their resilience, but the REDS held the lead throughout the set. A service ace from Benko closed out the set with the REDS on top 25-21.
In the second set, the Tigers turned things around, eventually taking a 9-2 advantage, causing the REDS first timeout.
The REDS weren’t able to handle the blazing serves from the Tigers’ Glen-Carter who had three service aces in a single serve rotation, extending the Tigers lead, 15-3.
Despite a late five-point run by the REDS, the Tigers ended the second set 25-19.
The REDS took control once again, starting the third set on a five-point run to take an early 5-1 lead.
With a kill from Green, UNB pushed their lead to 13-6 at the midpoint of the set.
The Tigers shortened the deficit to 22-17, taking nine points out of 11 points, six of those being errors from the REDS. However, UNB held firm, finishing the set with a kill from Meghan Vaags (Abbotsford, BC), 25-21.
The REDS opened the fourth set with a six-point run with two huge blocks from Nixon, Elizabeth Roemer (Pitt Meadows, BC), and Green to take a 9-5, resulting in a Tigers timeout. UNB closed out the match on an attack error from the Tigers, finishing the fourth set 25-16 and winning the game, 3-1.
The REDS and Tigers continue their weekend series on Saturday. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
Recap by: Madison Tucker/ for UNB Athletics
Photos by: James West/ for UNB Athletics