(FREDERICTON, NB) "Memorial let us off the hook in the first set and a little bit in the second set." Varsity Reds' head coach Dan McMorran says his team got lucky on Sunday.
The VReds swept all three sets from the Memorial University Seahawks, with scores of 31-29, 25-22 and 25-14. It was UNB's second sweep of the Seahawks this weekend.
"We had no business winning the first set," said McMorran. "Memorial played well today. Memorial were aggressive today and they passed better than they did yesterday."
The Seahawks scored the first point of the first set and looked equal to the bigger UNB side. Memorial carried a 16-13 lead into the technical time-out. But, the Varsity Reds stayed close and both sides traded points beyond 25. UNB was finally able to pull away, taking the first set 31-29.
The second set saw Memorial leading once again at the technical time-out, but they couldn't hold on.
UNB had little trouble dispatching the Seahawks in the third.
Despite the loss, 5th year outside hitter Sam Burt (Waverly, NS) says the Seahawks were happier with Sunday's effort. "Most of our season, so far, we've done a lot of fighting from behind, and it was definitely positive to come out and get a lead."
"We've just got to work on closing out sets now," said Burt.
Burt had 8 kills and 7 digs for Memorial. Jordan Murray led the Seahawks with 10 kills and 7 digs.
Ryan Colpitts registered 13 kills and 7 digs for UNB.
Fredericton native Alex Egers contributed 6 digs. Egers, who started the second set, admits there were some nerves. "I tried to make sure I didn't shank a pass or anything like that. I started well and carried that through, thought I brought the energy of the boys up."
"We're a team that likes to play when we're ahead," said Coach McMorran, who is looking for leaders to emerge on the floor. "It's about trying to get us to have that same kind of energy when it's 0-0 or if we're down five points."
The Varsity Reds are now 3-and-2 this season. Memorial falls to 0-and-5.
UNB next sees action on November 20th, when they'll be in Sherbrooke for interlock play.