The UNB Varsity Reds went 1-1 against the visiting Dalhousie Tigers, as part of the Stuart McKelvey Think Pink weekend, held at the Richard J. Currie Center. In each of the two matches the V-Reds, came onto the court showing their support, wearing pink warm-ups over their regular jerseys.
In the first match (Saturday night) the V-Reds lost a hard fought match in the fifth set, 3-2. Leading in kills for UNB were Eivind Anderson with 17, and Julio Fernandez with 14. The V-Reds played strong throughout, but technical trouble proved to be the difference in the end.
Set Scores in the first match were: 25-23, 17-25, 25-18, 16-25, and 12-15.
In the second match the Varsity Reds defeated the Tigers in straight sets, 3-0.
The individual set scores were: 25-18, 25-21, and 25-16.
UNB achieved the first substantial lead, 7-3 with the help of some big swings from Julio Fernandez. Both teams engaged in long, arduous rallies, the difference being stellar defensive play by UNB's Chhase McFarlen, enabling the V-Reds to pull away, 12-6. DAL's Kristen O'Brien dispelled UNB's attack with some big blocks catching up, 16-12. DAL narrowed the gap, thanks to some UNB technical errors, close 20-16. UNB took the first set 25-18, on a missed block from DAL's outside.
The second set started with both teams splitting the first ten points. DAL broke away first 11-7 with the help of some UNB technical errors and more stellar blocking from O'Brien. After a heated rally, featuring huge digs from UNB's Tristan Burridge the V-Reds took the lead 17-16. Off a missed DAL block, UNB's Matt Loisier recorded the final kill in the set, winning it for the Varsity Reds, 25-21.
The third set opened up for UNB off a service ace from Fernandez, sending the ball past the Dalhousie defense, pulling ahead 8-4. The V-Reds continued to press with huge swings from middle Craig Toonders 14-5 score. They continued to get big kills from Fernandez and Anderson, threading the ball just out of the defenders reach, in command, 23-17. Toonders sends the final ball down in the DAL end winning the set 25-16, and with it the match 3-0.
The V-Reds next action is part of the AUS Finals, starting on February 7th with a best two-of-three series against the Dalhousie Tigers in Halifax. The teams will return to the Currie Center on Saturday, 15th and should a game three be required they will play in Halifax on Friday 21st. Game time is 7pm for all three games.
Tom Wilson for UNB Sports Information
Photo Credit: Fran Harris