Laval Over UNB 3-0

(FREDERICTON, NB) A night after taking the U SPORTS No. 7 Montreal Carabins to five sets, the UNB Varsity Reds fell 3-0 to the No. 8 ranked Laval Rouge et Or in AUS/RSEQ interlock play, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

Laval won with scores of 25-21, 25-20 and 25-22.

Laval used a 4-0 run to take a 23-18 lead in what had been a close first set, eventually winning 25-21.

In the second, the Rouge et Or built leads of 10-5 and 16-10 before a late UNB rally. But, it was too little and too late. Laval went up 2-0 with a 25-20 win.

Laval rode the strong serving of Chhavanith Ponn(Quebec City, QC) to a 4-0 run midway through the third set, on route to their 25-22 win.

Ponn finished with nine kills and four digs, and was named the Subway Player of the Match for Laval.

"We had our ups and downs, but overall, we're up. This game was satisfying," said Ponn. "It was really doing the side-outs. Every time we had the opportunity, doing the side-outs."

Pascal McCarthy(Fredericton, NB) had 10 digs and two kills for UNB, while Kent Doucette(Tignish, PE) recorded 16 serve assists.

Brad Stewart(Wolfville, NS) was named Subway Player of the Match for the Varsity Reds.

"I'm not happy, but it's good to see that we mixed the line-up up, a ton," said McCarthy. "It's not like we got pounded at any point, so it's good to know that we have depth at least. I'm definitely happy with how we played, even though I'm not happy to go home with the L."

McCarthy feels focus hurt the Varsity Reds throughout the weekend tournament.

"I think we weren't focusing on defence, on serves," he said. "We made way too many mental mistakes, I don't think it was physical. We weren't focused enough behind the line, it was as simple as that."

The Rouge et Or are back in action next Saturday, when they host the Montreal Carabins, in RSEQ play.

The Varsity Reds return to Atlantic University Sport play on January 27^th, when they host the Dal Tigers.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Kyle Lamkin/for UNB Athletics