[HALIFAX NS] – The Dalhousie Tigers beat the UNB Reds 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 26-24) on Friday evening for an electric home opener.
The game started off strong in the first set, with the Tigers getting out to an early 10-5 lead.
The Reds utilised timeouts to reset the game and chip away at the deficit.
A service ace for Danielle Krzywonos (Valley, NS) of UNB made it 17-15 for Dalhousie.
A few plays later, Ella Hornby (Calgary, AB) of Dalhousie responded with a service ace of her own.
It was a strong spike from Talia Vydykhan (Hammonds Plains, NS) that ultimately won the set for the Tigers to end the first set 25-20.
The second set provided multiple long rallies which tested each team’s resilience.
The Reds spent much of the set on top however, the Tigers would not let them win. It was a timeout for Dalhousie that allowed them to gain momentum.
A return of a UNB ball was met with the power of Annik Boldon (Fredericton, NB) who spiked the ball across court and tight to the net and allowed none of the UNB player to respond.
Deep digs from UNB’s Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC) kept them in the game on multiple occasions.
A strong block by Paris Stewart (Halifax, NS) allowed the Tigers to lead 23-22 and ultimately end the set 25-23.
The third set was extremely close – when one team gained a point, the other quickly followed.
A strong dig for Lauren Roworth (Victoria, BC) of UNB almost won them the point but Hornby denied them with a powerful kill down the centre of the court.
A beautiful set by the Tigers Grace Calnan (Dartmouth, NS) to the powerful hands of Boldon that secured the win 26-24.
Lydia Green (Bedford, NS) of UNB had 8 kills which earned her player of the game for the REDS. It was the consistent hitting power from Vydykhan that resulted in 10 kills and player of the game honours.
Both teams return to the court tomorrow at 1pm at Dalplex.