REDS Take Five Set Thriller Over Carabins

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS emerged victorious in a thrilling five-set match against the Université de Montréal Carabins at UNB's Currie Center on Friday night.

The REDS won the match with scores of 25-23, 19-25, 23-25, 25-22 and 15-13.

Jacob Harris (Clarenville, NL) led the charge for the REDS with an impressive 22 kills and 11 digs, earning him Tim Horton's Player of the Game honours for UNB.

Rafael Hilario (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) contributed 18 kills and three service aces, while Scott Mann (Winnipeg, MB) and Nick Glynn (Fredericton, NB) provided crucial support with 12 digs each.

For the Carabins, Alexis Tournier (Gatineau, QC) led the team with 21 kills and nine digs. Marc-Antoine Dion (Wendover, ON) added 17 kills, two service aces, and nine digs, earning him the player of the game for Montreal.

The first set saw both teams trading points, with Montreal gaining momentum to establish an 8-4 lead through a four-point run. Three consecutive kills from Harris fueled a 6-1 run for the REDS, taking a 17-14 lead. Despite a competitive effort from Montreal, the REDS maintained control and took the opening set with a 25-23 victory, sealed by another kill from Harris.

In the second set, UNB took charge with a 3-1 run, led by Harris again, who contributed a kill and an assisted block. Dion's kill initiated a 3-0 run for Montreal, propelling them to a 4-3 lead. Although UNB briefly regained the lead at 7-5, the Carabins dominated with an impressive 8-1 run, establishing a commanding 13-8 lead. Lex Guimond's (Baie-Saint Anne, NB) three kills helped the REDS narrow the gap to two points at 16-14. However, Dion and the Carabins seized control, taking nine of the next 13 points and ultimately claiming the set 25-19, with Dion tallying six kills in the second set alone.

In the third set, an early surge by the Carabins propelled them to a 5-2 lead. Kills from Gabriel Robin (Longeuil, QC) and Tournier extended Montreal's advantage to 12-8. Despite a resilient effort from the REDS, narrowing the gap to 18-17 on a block from Glynn, Guimond, and Lucas Maffia (Victoria, BC), the Carabins maintained their composure. Ultimately, they secured the third set with a score of 25-23, sealed by a decisive kill from Dion.

UNB quickly established a 7-3 lead in the fourth set, driven by two kills from Harris. Despite Montreal's resilient efforts, including a 5-2 run that brought them within one at 18-17, UNB ultimately secured the set, winning 25-22. Hilario's winning kill set the stage for a crucial fifth set.

Montreal took an early 3-1 lead at the beginning of the fifth set. UNB swiftly countered with a 3-0 run, featuring two kills from Harris and a kill from Hilario to take a 5-4 lead. The teams exchanged points, with UNB maintaining a narrow 8-7 lead over Montreal. A service error from Montreal, coupled with a block from Hilario, extended UNB's advantage to 12-10. UNB managed to clinch the fifth set with a score of 15-13, on a service error from the Carabins, securing the match with a 3-2 victory.

The REDS and Carabins will conclude their two-game weekend series on Saturday, with the first serve scheduled for 3:00 pm.

RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics