(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds improved to 2-and-0 to start 2018-19 RSEQ men's volleyball season with a 3-1 win over the visiting Sherbrooke Vert et Or on Saturday.
UNB won with scores of 22-25, 25-15, 25-16 and 25-15.
"It feels amazing," said third-year Reds outside hitter Steven Randall (Hanwell, NB). "The whole team brought it, it was a team effort and I think that was the best we've played this season, by far."
In a back and forth first set, Sherbrooke found enough in the late stages to take the 25-22 win.
UNB dominated the second set, winning 25-15. The Reds built an early 5-1 lead from which they never looked back.
That domination continued in the third and fourth sets.
Sherbrooke could find few answers for the Reds strong attack offence.
Eduardo Luchese (Bento Goncalves, Braz.) led the Reds with 14 kills and 10 digs, while Connor McConnell (Hanwell, NB) had 14 kills and four service aces.
Freshman setter Jonah Winter (Valleyfield, NL) registered a match-high 32 service assists for UNB.
"We're young, but we have the tools to get it done and I think we showed that this weekend," said Randall.
Gabriel Dube-Constantin (Longueuil, QC) led the Vert et Or with 11 digs.
"You've got to give it to them, they played well this weekend," said Sherbrooke captain Laurent Duval-Demers (Candiac, QC).
The fourth-year hitter was happy with first set, but disappointed with what followed.
"The spirit wasn't that good today," he said. "The guys weren't that sharp, including me. We have to think about what we have to do to be better."
Sherbrooke now prepares to host Montreal, on November 11th.
The unbeaten Reds hit the road next weekend for a pair of games against the Dal Tigers, in Halifax.
"It gives us some confidence heading to Halifax next weekend," said Randall. "The pre-season didn't go as well as we'd have liked, but this is a good bounce-back and we're hungry for more."
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics