(HALIFAX, NS ) The Saint Mary's Huskies defeated the visiting UNB Varsity Reds 3-1, Saturday afternoon.
UNB won the first set 25-22, before SMU took the next three sets 26-24, 25-22, 25-23.
The first set saw SMU jump out to two quick points generated by Celine Selby(Weyburn, SK). Tied 5-5, no team held a lead greater than four, until Megan Kuciak`s(Ottawa, ON) kill put UNB up 19-14.
Saint Mary's pulled within one several times late in the set and tied it up twice, before UNB closed out the set.
The Huskies went up 3-0 early in the second set and increased their lead to six points on a kill from Maddie Clarke (Ottawa, ON).
UNB then went on a 14-8 run, eventually tying the set 15-15 on Janie-Eve Doucet`s(Fredericton, NB) kill.
The VReds took the next five of six points and went up 20-16 on another kill from Doucet. But, a seven point SMU run had the Huskies up 23-20. A Claire Richard(New Maryland, NB) kill evened the set at 24, but Saint Mary's took the last two points and the set 26-24.
The third set was close, neither team leading by more than three until SMU went up 19-15. The Huskies took the set 25-22.
The first two points of the fourth set when to Saint Mary's before a four point run saw the Reds climb to a 4-2 lead. UNB would extend that lead to as much as four before the Huskies started to chip away at it.
Jamie Rourke(Mission, BC) evened the fourth set at 15-15. A Huskies run put SMU up 22-18.
UNB fought down the stretch, but the Huskies hung on and won the fourth, 25-22.
Saint Mary's improves to 1-2, while UNB drops to 3-5.
Next up for the VReds, a match at the Universite de Moncton, on November 21st.
PHOTO CREDIT – SMU ATHLETICS