FREDERICTON: The Varsity Reds improved to a 4-0 record defeating the University of Winnipeg Wesmen 3-1 in a repeat of last night's match.
The set scores were 24-26, 25-23, 25-12, 27-25.
Strong serving from UNB's Julio Fernandez and Mathieu Losier got the V-Reds off to an early 10-6 lead in the first set. Huge kills from Winnipeg rookie Casey Schouten got the Wesmen to within 2 at the 16-14 mark. After the technical timeout Winnipeg continued to press, pulling ahead 20-19 by capitalizing on UNB's missed blocks. Winnipeg took the first set 26-24.
In the second set UNB came out hitting hard, with the offensive trio of Fernandez, Loisier and outside hitter Elvind Andersen getting the V-Reds out front early to an 11-6 lead. The UNB onslaught showed no signs of slowing as service aces from Loisier and
Marc White extended the lead to 20-14. Finally a huge block from UNB's middle
Craig Toonders sealed the set 25-17.
UNB's stellar play continued into the third set as they quickly racked up a 10-3 lead. With a huge swing Andersen recorded his 10th kill keeping UNB ahead 16-7 at the technical timeout. The Varsity Reds never let up, decisively taking the third set 25-12.
In the fourth set, net play from Toonders and six-foot-seven Loghan Keoughan allowed UNB to pull ahead early 6-3. Fernandez proved why he was selected CIS-All-Canadian, recording his 12th of a game high 14 kills. However, the V-Reds got into some technical trouble and the Wesmen hitters made them pay, pulling ahead 12-10. UNB coach Dan McMorran called a crucial timeout to try and get the team back on focus. The Varsity Reds responded and with more solid net play from Keoughan and Toonders pulled ahead 22-21. A final kill from the big man Keoughan gave the V-Reds the final set 27-25 and the match 3-1.
Coach Dan McMorran was impressed by his team's performance. "We passed consistently, we served aggressively and consistently. Offensively today I thought we hit our marks."
The Varsity Reds now go on to face Queen's University as part of their annual Tournament, Oct. 18th to 20th.
"We've got a tough road ahead next week at Queen's, playing against teams from Montreal and Quebec, we definitely have some things left to fine-tune for the regular season," continued McMorran.
