REDS Drop Dramatic Five-Setter

(FREDERICTON, NB) The Laval Rouge et Or rallied from down a set to beat the UNB REDS 3-2 in RSEQ men's volleyball action on Friday, at UNB's Currie Center.

Laval won with scores of 22-25, 25-21, 23-25, 38-36 and 15-11.

"That was a tough win tonight," said Laval hitter Nicolas Fortin (Clermont, QC), who registered a game-high 24 kills. "The REDS put up a good fight. It's clear they're better than they were last year. They surprised us when they beat Montreal last week, so we knew we had to be ready."

In the first set, the teams went toe-to-toe, trading points to 7-7.

Laval managed to pull out to a 9-7 lead before UNB strung together five straight points for a 12-9 lead. That prompted a Laval time-out.

The REDS continued to hold an advantage, building a 19-14 lead.

Laval rallied, trimming the UNB lead to 20-18, prompting a REDS time-out.

A Lex Guimond (Baie-Sainte Anne, NB) kill gave UNB a 24-21 lead and the REDS went on to win the opener 25-22.

In the second, the close play continued until UNB went ahead 14-11.

Laval reeled in the REDS, drawing even at 16-16 and then going in front 18-16.

The visitors pushed their lead to 20-17 on route to a 25-21 win.

The REDS rebounded in the third set with some strong play at the net and an aggressive offence.

UNB build a 21-17 lead.

Laval rallied again, tying the score 22-22.

But the REDS stayed focused, and a Kieran Brost (Dartmouth, NS) killed sealed a 25-23 set victory for a two-sets-to-one lead.

The fourth set was as closely contested as the first three sets with both teams unable to establish any significant advantage.

They were even over a long run past 35 before Laval scored two straight to win the marathon set 38-36.

"That put all the energy on our side," said Fortin. "We had no doubt we'd win the fifth after that."

In the deciding set, the Rouge et Or led 8-4 at the switch.

UNB scored consecutive points to make the score 12-9, prompting a Laval time-out and the visitors pushed ahead from there, winning 15-11 to win the match three sets to two.

"We had opportunities to win," said REDS' head coach Dan McMorran. "In the fourth set, we had two balls on our hand and we made errors and you just can't. We're in one of the toughest conferences in the country and we're at a point where we're competing against these teams, but we don't want to just compete. When we have opportunities, we have to make sure we capitalize on them."

Jacob Harris (Clarenville, NL) led the REDS with 17 kills while Scott Mann (Winnipeg, MB) had a game-high 26 digs. Brost had 14 kills while Shamus Cormier (Bathurst, NB) added 13.

For Laval, along with Fortin's two dozen kills, Max Losier (Ottawa, ON) added 21 and William Bergeron (St-Jérôme, QC) had 21 digs.

The win was the first of the season for the Rouge et Or and came in their season-opener.

UNB is now 1-and-2.

"The conference hasn't gotten weaker. We're better, which is why we're in these matches," added Coach McMorran. "Our test will be how we respond tomorrow. It's crucial to get a split, at home, against that team."

The REDS and Rouge et Or will wrap up their two-match weekend series on Saturday.

Game time is scheduled for 3:00pm.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics