REDS Fall To Vert et Or

(SHERBROOKE, QC) The UNB REDS dropped their final RSEQ regular season match, Saturday, a 3-1 decision to the U SPORTS No. 1 ranked Sherbrooke Vert et Or.

The REDS won the opening set 25-22 before losing a marathon second set 32-30. The home team won the third set 25-19 and the fourth set 25-18.

"After a slow start in the first, I thought we showed great poise to battle back and get that one," said REDS' head coach Dan McMorran. "We played some of our best volleyball of the season in the second and were up 24-22 with a chance to go up 2-0 but couldn't close it out."

Rafael Hilario (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) led the REDS effort with 14 kills and 18 points.

Nick Glynn (Fredericton, NB) added eight kills while Scott Mann (Winnipeg, MB) had eight digs.

Lucas Maffia (Victoria, BC) registered 37 assists and five digs.

"I think this weekend was a good learning opportunity for our team against the top team in the country," said Maffia. "Now we need to focus on the next two weeks of preparation and sharpen a few things so that we are prepared to play another tough team in a tough environment."

Zachary Hollands (St-Christophe d'Arthabaska, QC) had a match-high 21 kills for the Vert et Or and scored 22.5 points. Yoan David (Sherbrooke, QC) added 11 kills for Sherbrooke.

"The beauty is we gained valuable experience this weekend, and our team continues to improve and welcome the challenges we're presented, two essential pieces as we head into the playoffs," said Coach McMorran.

The REDS will finish the season in third place in the RSEQ standings and will face Laval in the conference semi-finals.

Sherbrooke, Laval, Montreal and Dalhousie all have regular season matches left to contest.

"We need to come into practice for the next two weeks with the intent of being better each day, so that we're playing at our best come semi-final time," said Maffia.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTO: File