Successful Weekend on the Rock
The Varsity Reds took to the road (and air) this past weekend as they travelled with the women’s team to St. John’s, Nfld, for two matches against the Memorial Seahawks. Memorial, currently in last place in the AUS with only a lone win against McGill in the first semester, would be looking to add another win to their record in their last home matches of the season.
Saturday, January 30th @ 8:00pm
UNB 3 MUN 0 (25-12, 25-19, 25-20)
UNB started strong out of the gates in the first set, taking an 8-3 lead into the first technical timeout. The Seahawks had a difficult time with the UNB serve and as a result, struggled offensively. UNB continued the pressure in the second and third sets, but made a few more offensive errors in both. Tyler Veenhuis and Julio Fernandez led the way for the VReds with 11 kills each, while Ryley Boldon added 9 kills in the other outside position. Jacob Kilpatrick had 5 blocks and 4 kills, while the other big man, John Sheehan, delivered 2 aces and 5 kills. The Varsity Reds were able to get 10 of 12 players in the match.
The Varsity Reds would start Andrew Costa in the setting position, but would finish the match with the 6-2 combo of he and first year setter, Stephane Fontaine.
Sunday, January 31st @ 1:00pm
UNB 3 MUN 1 (25-19, 25-18, 25-27, 25-12)
In the second match, the first two sets went back and forth until the midway point, when UNB seemed to find another gear to distance themselves for the wins. In the third set, however, UNB would continue to settle with trading points and would find themselves trailing 22-19 late in the set. The Seahawks fueled the UNB comeback by committing 3 consecutive unforced attack errors resulting in a tied game at 22-22. A service ace and a stuffed block by Veenhuis gave the VReds a 24-22 lead and two chances at closing out the match, but very similar to their match against
Jacob Kilpatrick left the match midway through the second set with a dislocated left shoulder. Logan Keoughan filled in to finish the set, and Ryley Boldon would move back to his old position for the remainder of the match. Tyler Veenhuis led all attackers with 16 kills, while Julio Fernandez and Brett Watson chipped in 8 and 7 kills respectively. Fernandez and Veenhuis unleashed 3 service aces apiece. Stephane Fontaine got the start today, but Andrew Costa would finish the match in the fourth. Libero, Mark Dean, got the start today and had a solid passing and defensive performance.
COACH’S COMMENTS
“I thought we played fairly well in Saturday’s match. We passed well and served aggressively, forcing them out to the wings all night, but we didn’t get as many blocks as we should have. On Sunday we came out flat, and allowed a team that was fighting for their life to have some hope. When they started to push us, we didn’t seem prepared to push back. We tried a few different combinations in the two matches, with all of our outsides getting a chance to start at some point during the weekend. Both of our setters got opportunities to start this weekend, and the competition is still open as to who will start for us down the stretch.”
UP NEXT
Come out to the pit at the LB Gym and watch your Varsity Reds this coming weekend as they take on the Dalhousie Tigers. Match times are as follows:
Saturday, February 6th – 6:00pm
Sunday, February 7th – 1:00pm