REDS Rally, Beat Tigers

(HALIFAX, NS) The UNB REDS outlasted the Dalhousie Tigers in a close-fought five-set RSEQ battle, Saturday afternoon in Halifax.

The REDS won 24-26, 25-9, 24-26, 25-20, and 15-8.

After an even start, it was UNB that held the lead first in the match.

A kill and an ace from Eduardo Luchese (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) put the REDS ahead 10-6 before the Tigers equalized at 10-10.

For the rest of the set, neither team was able to find their way in front by more than a couple points. This held until the Tigers brought up a set point after a kill from Bannon Rourke (Stillwater Lake, NS). The Tigers would convert this opportunity after a REDS attack error to grab a one-set lead. 

Dropping the first set seemed to energize UNB, as they raced back to take the second set of this match in a blowout, 25-9.

UNB led early and never looked back as they rode some great attacking play from Jacob Harris (Clarenville, NL).

The third set saw Dalhousie jump out to a comfortable lead, as Lucas Condon-Oldreive (Porters Lake, NS) started with a pair of kills.

However, UNB slowly whittled the lead down, always closing but ultimately never leading despite some remarkable serving from Lucas Maffia (Victoria, BC).

In the end, the Tigers narrowly escaped with the set after a two-man block from Samuel Gallagher (Fredericton, NB) and Matthew McCarvell (Toronto, ON) denied a UNB attack. 

The back-and-forth nature of the match continued in the fourth set.

UNB regained their momentum, and Dal was unable to regroup after a great effort near the end of set three.

A host of errors plagued the Tigers, as the REDS played cleaner volleyball down the stretch to send this match the distance. 

In the fifth set, the REDS rode a good patch of play to a 12-3 lead, as the REDS second-year middle Lex Guimond (Baie-Sainte-Anne, NB) posted two kills and a block to put the Tigers in a tough position.

Dal mustered as much as they could, but ultimately came up short as UNB claimed the win on their third match point, with a massive Luchese kill.

Dal is still searching for their first win while UNB picked up their second in the comeback.

Moving forward, UNB will host the Université de Montréal Carabins next Friday night. First serve is scheduled for 6:00pm.

Dal also has the Carabins next on their schedule but will have a week off before they make the trek up to Montreal.

RECAP AND PHOTOS: Dal Athletics