(FREDERICTON, NB) "I'm very happy with how our guys battled in a tough conference semi-final on the road."
Dan McMorran saw the positives through the disappointment.
The head coach of the UNB Reds men's volleyball team was speaking in the wake of his team's elimination from the RSEQ semi-finals at the hands of l'Université de Montreal Carabins.
The Reds dropped a 3-2 decision on Friday and a 3-1 decision on Saturday, the Carabins sweeping their best of three series.
"We're certainly disappointed with the result, especially as it is our expectation to be at nationals every year," said McMorran. "But we're pleased with our continued growth, and we know exciting times are just ahead."
In Friday's series opener, the Reds were up two sets to one before falling in five sets.
Connor McConnell (Hanwell, NB) had 19 kills and 12 digs for the Reds, while Eduardo Luchese (Bento Goncalves, Brazil), named the RSEQ Rookie of the Year earlier that day, added 17 kills.
First-year setter Bradley Merryweather (New Maryland, NB) put up an astonishing 50 assists.
In Saturday's 3-1 loss, McConnell, named an RSEQ 2nd Team All-Star, led the Reds with 13 kills and 17.5 points. Merryweather registered 19 assists.
"In the opening match, we played at a great level and actually gave ourselves an opportunity to win in three, but didn't execute at the same level in the fourth and fifth sets," said McMorran. "Saturday's match was similar, as we came out strong, but made too many errors down the stretch."
The Reds, playing their first season in the RSEQ, finished third in the five team conference, sweeping former Atlantic University Sport rivals Dalhousie on the final weekend of the regular season to secure third place.
For much of the season, conference leading Laval was ranked as the top team in the country, while Montreal spent time in the U SPORTS Top 10.
"Our squad has steadily improved all season, taking some big strides within the last month," said McMorran.
Despite losing all four regular season matches to the Carabin, McMorran was hopeful heading to Montreal.
"We played them tough at home earlier in February, so although we knew it was going to be a challenge to play them in their gym in the playoffs, we were confident that we were still getting better and could win this series."
McMorran's team graduates just one player, middle blocker Hendrik Compagner.
Returning almost his complete roster, and with a solid recruiting class already taking shape, McMorran is confident better things are ahead in 2019-20.