Reds strike first in AUS championship series

The UNB Varsity Reds are one step closer to dethroning the Dalhousie Tigers and winning their first AUS title since 1979 after winning a five-set thriller in an instant classic.

After falling behind two sets to one, the Reds marched back in the fourth set and didn’t look back. They will be looking to end Dalhousie’s 24-year reign over the AUS this Sunday.

UNB head coach Dan McMorran was happy with the win, even though his squad only picked up the pace in the fourth set.

“I think our guys were buying into the Cinderella story a little bit tonight, but the Cinderella story and the pump-up music doesn’t win you matches,” said McMorran. “It’s what takes place on the floor here. It wasn’t until the middle of the fourth set until we decided that some defensive intensity and individual plays are going to turn this around.”

The capacity crowd was treated to a furious pace as the Tigers and hometown Reds opened their best of three series. The set remained close until two straight blocks by Tyler Veenhuis and John Sheehan electrified the crowd. Using the momentum, UNB widened the gap to four points. Undeterred, the veteran Dal squad clawed their way back to square the set at 17. The teams then traded point to sit even at 24-24. However, thanks to some terrific defence from Kyle Blanchard, the Reds took the advantage and stole the set 26-24 off an unforced error from Sander Ratsep.

Blanchard put forth another strong showing as the Libero of the Year made some spectacular defensive efforts in posting 11 digs.

Unflinching, Dal quickly opened up an 8-4 lead to start the second. Leading charge was Ratsep, recording an impressive 23 kills during the match. After the Reds squared matters at 8-8, a couple of convincing blocks from Max Burt quieted the crowd and stretched the lead to five. Squashing another UNB comeback, the experienced Tigers held on for the 25-21 second set victory.

24-time defending champion Tigers didn’t ease up in the third. After jumping to an 8-5 lead in the third, Dal upped their relentless attack and didn’t relinquish their advantage. With one final kill from Ratsep, Dal took the third frame 25-22.

The Reds didn’t go quietly in to the night, giving the Tigers all they could handle in the fourth set.  UNB kept pace with Dal as the clubs exchanged points until a massive kill from Reds left-side hitter Julio Fernandez gave the home team their first lead of the set at 17-16. This marked the turning in point the match as the V-Reds stormed back and forced a fifth set winning 25-20.

Energized by the electric atmosphere in the Lady Beaverbrook Gym, the Reds opened a four-point lead in the final set.

“We had a little lapse in execution and they got back in the game and the fans got involved,” said Burt.

The Tigers rallied and tied things up at 12 apiece. However, the Reds continued the pressure and grabbed the final three points to seal the match with the 15-12 set win.

“I’m with happy the result; I’m not happy with our performance throughout the match,” said McMorran. “We were lucky to not lose in three sets tonight.”

The head coach did see some strong performances from Fernandez and the newly named MVP, Jacob Kilpatrick. Fernandez posted 16 kills, seven digs and one block, while the veteran Kilpatrick recorded four kills, four digs, one solo block and nine block assists.

Tigers head coach Dan Ota realizes they had the win was in their hands, but they let it slip away.

“UNB started playing better and we lost focus for a few points. It’s often the case when you get the lead and you relax a bit. I think we’re guilty of that tonight,” said Ota.

The Tigers had an uncharacteristic 18 service errors. Lost points that Ota knows could have swung the match in the other direction.

On the flip side, the three-headed attack of Ratsep, Graeme Higgins and Kenneth Rauwerda overwhelmed the Reds with thundering kills, tallying 53 altogether. It’s an attack fourth-year middle John Sheehan knows must be stopped.

“You’ve got to block [Ratsep] down the line,” said John Sheehan. Our right sides and our setters need to block him down the line and give our middles a chance to get a block on him. If he’s hitting down the line, we don’t have a chance to get a block on him.”

McMorran knows it won’t be easy winning on Dal’s turf and his boys will need a better performance than tonight to come home with the title.

“We wanted to win easy tonight, but we’re going to have fight really hard to win this championship.

UNB will look to clinch their 5th title Sunday in Halifax, a place where the V-Reds haven’t won since Feb. 15, 2008.