REDS Blank Tigers, Advance To RSEQ Playoffs
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS scored a straight-sets win over the Dalhousie Tigers on Saturday, securing the final RSEQ men's volleyball playoff berth.
The REDS won 3-0, with scores of 25-17, 25-17 and 25-19.
"It feels great, we're looking forward to battling against Montreal next weekend," said REDS hitter Thomas Vickers (Bible Hill, NS).
UNB will now face l'Université de Montreal Carabin in a best of three RSEQ semi-final, next weekend, in Montreal.
The REDS went on offence immediately, building a 6-2 lead thanks, in part, to a Vickers kill and a Nick Glynn (Fredericton, NB) block. Another Vickers kill pushed UNB's early lead to 9-3, forcing a Tigers timeout.
The REDS led 16-7 at the technical timeout of the first set, and the Tigers could never gain traction.
UNB won the opening set 25-17.
In the second, it was the Tigers taking an early lead before an Eduardo Luchese (Rio Grande du Sol, Brazil) kill put the REDS on the board at 2-1.
The REDS then pushed past Dal, and a 4-0 run mid-way through the set saw UNB extend their lead to 12-5.
The REDS were up 16-9 at the technical timeout.
All attempts by the Tigers to push back were turned away by the REDS, who forced several blocking and attack errors.
Down 23-17, Tigers coach Dan Ota called a timeout, but the REDS scored the next two points to win the set 25-17.
The Tigers found some life in the third set, going point for point with the REDS to an early 5-5 tie.
A Michael Donovan (London, ON) ace then pushed Dal ahead.
But the REDS wouldn't trail for long.
On the strength of three consecutive blocks, UNB surged ahead 10-7.
The Tigers stayed close, but the REDS led 16-14 at the technical timeout, extending that lead to 18-15.
When Dal pulled to within one, at 19-18, it was the REDS calling timeout.
UNB recorded the next three points on route to a 25-19 set win, taking the match in straight sets.
"We played pretty well," said Vickers, who finished the match with seven kills and five digs. "Everyone worked hard, focused on our game and communicated well all night. We came out and did exactly what we wanted to do."
Setter Quinton Dowling (Waterloo, ON) led the Tigers with 32 assists, while Justin Cross (Winnipeg, MB) registered 13 kills.
"They didn't make many mistakes, they served pretty tough on us, but when it comes down to it, it was our errors," said Donovan, who added eight kills and four digs. "We feel disappointed, for sure, but we're just trying to look forward for the guys who are coming back, appreciate the guys who've been here and aren't coming back, they've helped build this program up."
Luchese registered a game-high 14 kills for the REDS, while Bradley Merryweather (New Maryland, NB) had 27 assists.
"We made significantly less errors and were very efficient with all of our balls," said Vickers. "We worked very hard and fought for this win."
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics