(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds scored a 3-1 win over the Sherbrooke Vert et Or in their RSEQ debut, on Friday.
The Reds won with scores of 25-20, 21-25, 25-21 and 25-19.
"It felt great," said third-year Reds outside hitter Connor McConnell (Hanwell, NB). "We've been looking forward to this for so long. Brand new league, for us, the amount of games we'll play is way more, so we came prepared."
McConnell scored 10 kills and added five digs for the Reds, and was named player of the match.
"We had to adjust at times, we fought back, but I felt like our compete level was pretty high today and that's what put us on top," he said.
Freshman Eduardo Luchese (Bento Goncalves, Braz.) led the Reds with 20 kills and 10 digs.
Brad Merryweather (New Maryland, NB) and Jonah Winter (Valleyfield, NL) had 18 and 20 serve assists respectfully in their UNB debuts.
Gabriel Dube-Constantin (Longueuil, QC) led the Vert et Or with 13 digs, while Laurent Duval-Demers (Candiac, QC) recorded 11 kills.
"We knew they'd be a big challenge for us," said Duval-Demers. "We had some success against them last year, so obviously we wanted to win, so it's disappointing."
Duval-Demers and his teammates don't have to wait long for a shot at redemption.
UNB hosts Sherbrooke in the finale of their weekend series, at 2:30pm on Saturday.
"It's just a reset," said Duval-Demers. "Forget what happened, forget the loss and focus on tomorrow and focus on the challenge that we have. As a team, we have to come together and everybody has to step up."
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics