Varsity Reds split weekend games with Tigers

Varsity Reds split weekend games with Tigers
Box Score

Team Stats

February 2, 2014

The UNB Varsity Reds went 1-1 against the visiting Dalhousie Tigers, as part of the Stuart McKelvey Think Pink weekend, held at the Richard J. Currie Center. In each of the two matches the V-Reds, came onto the court showing their support, wearing pink warm-ups over their regular jerseys.

In the first match (Saturday night) the V-Reds lost a hard fought match in the fifth set, 3-2. Leading in kills for UNB were Eivind Anderson with 17, and Julio Fernandez with 14. The V-Reds played strong throughout, but technical trouble proved to be the difference in the end.

Set Scores in the first match were: 25-23, 17-25, 25-18, 16-25, and 12-15.

In the second match the Varsity Reds defeated the Tigers in straight sets, 3-0.

 Kill leaders in that game were Julio Fernandez with 10 and Craig Toonders with 8.

The individual set scores were: 25-18, 25-21, and 25-16.  

UNB achieved the first substantial lead, 7-3 with the help of some big swings from Julio Fernandez. Both teams engaged in long, arduous rallies, the difference being stellar defensive play by UNB's Chhase McFarlen, enabling the V-Reds to pull away, 12-6. DAL's Kristen O'Brien dispelled UNB's attack with some big blocks catching up, 16-12. DAL narrowed the gap, thanks to some UNB technical errors, close 20-16. UNB took the first set 25-18, on a missed block from DAL's outside.

The second set started with both teams splitting the first ten points. DAL broke away first 11-7 with the help of some UNB technical errors and more stellar blocking from O'Brien. After a heated rally, featuring huge digs from UNB's Tristan Burridge the V-Reds took the lead 17-16. Off a missed DAL block, UNB's Matt Loisier recorded the final kill in the set, winning it for the Varsity Reds, 25-21.

The third set opened up for UNB off a service ace from Fernandez, sending the ball past the Dalhousie defense, pulling ahead 8-4. The V-Reds continued to press with huge swings from middle Craig Toonders 14-5 score. They continued to get big kills from Fernandez and Anderson, threading the ball just out of the defenders reach, in command, 23-17. Toonders sends the final ball down in the DAL end winning the set 25-16, and with it the match 3-0.

 Coach Dan McMorran thought his team had a great performance today, saying: "I thought we were more engaged, more activated today, stayed on our game plan much better."
 
When asked if the game plan was altered for the rematch McMorran stated: " Did not change the game plan one iota from yesterday, it was more in the choices the guys were making on the court, today obviously we made the right choices."


The V-Reds next action is part of the AUS Finals, starting on February 7th with a best two-of-three series against the Dalhousie Tigers in Halifax. The teams will return to the Currie Center on Saturday, 15th and should a game three be required they will play in Halifax on Friday 21st. Game time is 7pm for all three games.

Tom Wilson for UNB Sports Information
Photo Credit: Fran Harris