Laval Shades Reds

(FREDERICTON, NB) l'Universite Laval Rouge et Or improved to a perfect 6-0 with a 3-1 win over the UNB Reds on Saturday.

Laval won with scores of 23-25, 25-16, 25-21 and 25-18

This was the second of back to back games between the two teams.

The Reds matched Laval's intensity from the opening serve in what was a back and forth first set.

Unlike yesterday, UNB managed to get the edge to win it 25-23.

"I think we improved a lot from yesterday to today," said Reds outside hitter Eduardo Luchese (Bento Goncalves, Brazil). "They have a lot of strengths, but this is the level that we want to compete at."

Laval would jump out to a 13-6 lead in the second set, including a 5-0 run. The Reds would close the gap, coming within a single point when the set was 15-14. However, Laval would regain their momentum and go on a 10-2 run to take the set 25-16.

The Reds put up a better fight in the third set, but would fall short 25-21.

Much like yesterday, Laval would clinch their final set by going up 10-5 and never looking back.

"We need to minimize our errors. We have to serve better and we have to pass better, and it's going to work with time," said Luchese.

Luchese had a game-high 24 kills along with 10 digs, while Nick Glynn (Fredericton, NB) and Bradley Merryweather (New Maryland, NB) each had eight digs a piece.

Vicente P. Villalobos (Santiago, Chile) led Laval with 23 kills and six digs, while Alexandre Obomsawin (Gatineau, QC) had 13 kills and nine digs.

The Reds now prepare to face the Universite de Montreal Carabins, next Friday in Montreal. Game time is 8:30pm Atlantic.

Laval will host the Dalhousie Tigers the same day.

RECAP BY: Jonathan James/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics