(MONCTON, NB) The UNB REDS wrapped up Atlantic University Sport regular season play on Sunday afternoon defeating the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues, 3-1, in Moncton, with scores of 25-22, 21-25, 25-17, and 31-29.
“We went into today’s match with a bit of a plan in regard to what we wanted to do lineup-wise, but I thought we didn’t miss a beat which was positive for our group and everybody who went in,” said UNB head coach Richard Schick. “For some of our players, this was their first full match year so to see them respond in the way they did showed our toughness as a team.”
The first set of the afternoon was a closely contested battle. The set was tied 19-19, until the REDS went on a 5-1 run, thanks to some great serving from Jenna Adams (Truro, NS) and kills from Madeline Mills (Fredericton, NB) and Sonya Nielsen (Delia, AB) to close out the set 25-21.
In the second frame, UNB jumped ahead early on a 14-6 run to grab a commanding hold of the set.
However, the Aigles Bleues would battle back to tie the set 17-17.
Moncton would then go on a 5-0 run capped off by a kill by Abigail Pallister (Moncton, NB) to win the set 25-20.
In the third set UNB would again jump out on an early 14-6 lead on Moncton.
The REDS were able to hold onto the lead this time and take the set 25-17, with Kindigo Watson (Calgary, AB) adding the finishing kill.
The REDS were able to outlast the Aigles Bleues in a marathon of a fourth set taking the frame 31-29.
“As the set carried on, I think our focus was to minimize errors, stay cool, calm and collected,” said UNB libero Kaitlyn Chapman (Indian Mountain, NB). “When we play our game that’s when we play our best.”
Chapman was named Subway Player of the Game, contributing 41 digs in the victory for UNB.
“I thought I played well. I mean I can’t do anything without my team setting up good blocks which makes it very easy to dig,” said the senior.
UNB outpaced Moncton in points (102-93), kills (51-48), aces (11-1), blocks (8-7), assists (51-48) and digs (126-120).
Meghan Vaags (Abbotsford, BC) led the charge for the REDS win 13.5 kills, while Neilson and Watson added 9.5 and 8.5 kills respectively.
UNB will now shift their focus to the AUS playoffs, next weekend.
The REDS will face the Dalhousie Tigers in a best of three semi-finals series, starting Friday at 7:00pm at the Dalplex.
“They’re a well disciplinef team” said Schick, of the first place Tigers. “We’ve played them tough a couple of times, but they’ve had our number and we’re going to have to play amazing volleyball to compete.”
RECAP AND PHOTOS BY: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics