Laval Edges REDS In Another Five-Setter

(FREDERICTON, NB) For the second day in a row, the UNB REDS and Laval Rouge et Or needed five sets to decide their RSEQ men's volleyball match, Saturday, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

This time, the visiting Rouge et Or emerged with a 3-2 victory, beating the REDS 11-25, 25-21, 25-16, 23-25, and 15-9.

"They're a good opponent and there were some good signs from us, and to get a split is okay," said REDS' head coach Dan McMorran.

On Friday night, the REDS scored a 3-2 win and they looked to carry that momentum, dominating the opening set, building leads of 6-2, which brought an early Laval time-out, and 10-3.

A Lex Guimond (Baie Sainte-Anne, NB) block pushed the UNB lead to 18-7, and when the home team pushed ahead 21-9, Laval used another time-out.

The REDS won the opening set 25-11.

The second set saw an almost complete reversal as the Rouge et Or raced out to a 4-0 lead, prompting a UNB time-out.

The visitors forged ahead, extending their lead to 9-3 and UNB miscues allowed them to push it to 11-5.

UNB's attempt to claw back saw them pull to within five at 15-10.

Down 22-16, the REDS put together a 3-0 run, closing the gap to three, at 22-19.

But Laval turned that tide and won the second set 25-21.

In the third, the teams traded points in the early going to a 6-6 tie before Laval found some separation.

Up 16-10, a UNB blocking error made it 17-10 and the REDS could do little to slow Laval, who cruised to a 25-16 set win and a two-sets-to-one lead.

The fourth set saw another reversal as the REDS built an early 4-1 lead and extended it to 8-4.

Through the middle of the set, the teams traded points with UNB holding a moving three-point lead through 19-16.

Consecutive points by the Rouge et Or closed the gap to 19-18 and prompted a UNB time-out.

A UNB attack error pulled Laval even at 21-21 and REDS' head coach Dan McMorran called time-out again.

The home team then went on a 2-0 run to go up 23-21 and held off Laval to win the fourth set 25-23.

In the deciding set Laval took control early and held on, establishing a 9-4 lead that prompted a UNB time-out. 

The REDS could not counter, and Laval won 15-9, taking the match 3-2 for a split of their weekend series.

"We didn't pass well enough in the fifth set to run the offence that we need to, we were a little predictable there," said Coach McMorran. "We made a bit of a push late, but in the fifth set you run out of time."

Charles St-Aubin (Joliette, QC) led Laval, recording a game-high 54 assists. Max Losier (Ottawa, ON) had 21 kills and Patrick Minville (Montmagny, QC) added 11 digs.

Eduardo Luchese (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) had 21 kills for the REDS while Jacob Harris (Clarenville, NL) registered 13 kills, 11 digs, and eight blocks. Lucas Maffia (Victoria, BC) contributed 41 assists.

With the loss, the REDS are now 4-and-2 while Laval improves to 2-and-2

Both teams are back in action on Friday.

Laval hosts Montreal. UNB visits RSEQ-leading Sherbrooke. First serve is scheduled for 7:00pm Atlantic.

"I'm not surprised with the up and down," said Coach McMorran. "Certainly not surprised with the up, I know we can play at that level, and not surprised with the downs right now. We need some stability in a couple of spots, but there are some good signs this weekend."

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics