(SHERBROOKE, QC) The UNB Reds began their 2019-20 RSEQ regular season schedule with a couple of tough losses to the Vert et Or, in Sherbrooke.
"Sherbrooke are always a dangerous team at home and they played at a very high level in both matches," said Reds head coach Dan McMorran.
On Friday, the Reds fell 3-1 in a match that featured early drama.
The home side took a close first set 25-23, before UNB bounced back to win the second 25-18.
Sherbrooke scuttled the Reds momentum, taking the next two sets 25-14 and 25-14 to win the match.
"In the first match, we were up 17-12 and 20-16 in the first set, but failed to close the door," said McMorran. "We gave up an opportunity to set the tone early on. Although we won the second set, we made too many unforced errors to give ourselves a chance at winning the match."
Connor McConnell (Hanwell, NB) and Drew Duncan (Winnipeg, MB) led the Reds in the opening match. McConnell had a match-high 19 kills while Duncan contributed 11 digs. Brad Merryweather had 23 serve assists.
In the second match, on Saturday, the Reds jumped out to a 1-0 lead, taking the first set 25-21.
But UNB couldn't sustain their early momentum and the Vert et Or won the next three sets 25-13, 25-18 and 25-22.
"We battled back late in the first set to take a 1-0 lead, but once again, we struggled to place consistent pressure on them to give ourselves any real opportunity," said McMorran. "Down 10-19 in the fourth set, we battled back to take a 21-20 lead, but gave up four unanswered points due to errors. It's tough to win matches that way."
The Reds' offence was more evenly distributed in Saturday's match, with McConnell, Eduardo Luchese(Rio Grande do Sol, Brazil) and Thomas Vickers (Truro, NS) each recording 11 kills. Duncan had 13 digs.
The Reds are spending this week working on their game, in anticipation of their home opener, on Friday, when they host the Dalhousie Tigers.
"We will certainly be looking to rebound quickly for our two home games against Dalhousie this coming weekend," said Coach McMorran.
Friday's match begins at 7:30pm, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.
The teams play again on Saturday, at 2:30pm.