Posted: Oct 11, 2013
The defending AUS champion UNB Varsity Reds continued their hot streak at home against the visiting University of Winnipeg Wesmen by a final score of 3-1.
The set scores were 25-23, 25-21,23-25 and 25-20.
The first set got off to a good start with the Varsity Reds pulling ahead to a 6-1 lead. Heavy serving from UNB's Julio Fernandez prolonged the lead to 16-9 at the first technical time-out. Errors from UNB allowed Winnipeg to claw back to a score of 20-16.
However, the Wesmen continued to inch close, getting to within a single point at 24-23. A huge kill from Fernandez took the set for the V-Reds, 25-23.
In the second both teams came out strong. Hit-for-hit play quickly racked up a 9-9 tally. Solid serving from UNB's Marc White allowed the V-Reds to briefly pull ahead 11-9. The lead did not last as Winnipeg soon tied the game at 13-13 with a kill from 6'5" outside Casey Schouten. White continued his excellent service play, which coupled with Fernandez's huge kills allowed the V-Reds to take the second set 25-21.
The third set started with more even play, both teams returning monster kills. A couple of huge blocks from middle Craig Toonders gave UNB the lead 10- 8. UNB then got into some technical trouble, conceding five consecutive points, to allow the Wesmen to take the lead 13-10. UNB tied up the set at 20-20 with some strong defensive play from White, adding to his game total of 9 digs. With some big kills from Schouten Winnipeg took the third set 25-23.
The fourth set saw a similar start; even play leading to an early score of 10-10. Blocking proved to be the difference as Toonders added to his team high total of six to give the V-Reds a 19-17 lead. Some final spikes from middle Logan Keoghan and Fernandez sealed the deciding set, 25-20.
Coach Dan McMorran expressed his delight with the team's performance, "They were a good serving team, probably the best we've faced so far. Down the stretch we did some things right and were able to pull it out in the 4th."
The V-Reds continue their home stand tomorrow with a rematch of tonight's game at 2:00pm at The Richard J. Currie Centre.
McMorran added, "Winnipeg is gonna come out stronger tomorrow, we pulled it out tonight, but tomorrow might be a different story."