UNB downs Memorial in straight sets in first game of Think Pink weekend

The UNB Varsity Reds women's volleyball team ended a four-game losing streak on Saturday night at the Richard J. CURRIE CENTER.

The Varsity Reds defeated the Memorial Sea-Hawks in straight sets (25-18, 25-22, 25-17) – but it was anything but easy. The Sea-Hawks, who entered the game with a 1-7 record in Atlantic University Sport play this season, never allowed the Varsity Reds to pull ahead by much.

"They fight hard. We were both fighting for everything out there and they definitely didn't let us pull away at all. That's volleyball in our league," said V-Reds head coach Jilliane Goulet. "I think anybody can have a good day on any day and lucky for us today was our day."

Overall, the coach was happy with her team's performance, a performance that pushes the squad back over the .500 mark with a 5-4 record.

"I'm really pleased with how it went. It was a hard fight. We fought and we earned a lot of our points today and that's really all I was asking for coming back after Christmas - that we go out and earn a lot of points and play an aggressive game, and I think that we accomplished that today."

UNB ultimately won the first set 25-18, but Memorial managed to keep it close throughout and never allowed the Varsity Reds to pull too far ahead. 

In the second, UNB led by as much eight points but Memorial clawed back. It was a one-point game late in the set but a few clutch points got the Varsity Reds the 25-22 win.

The third set proved to be similar to the first two as the Reds created leads only to see them slowly shrink. But once again, UNB was too much for Memorial and won 25-17.

Goulet pointed out that several Varsity Reds had strong games, notably veteran Paige Paulsen who had 29 of UNB's 35 assists.

"She really executed what we wanted as far as a game plan. She served up a storm."

The V-Reds and Sea-Hawks meet again tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the Currie Center. As for things UNB can improve on in tomorrow's match, Goulet pointed out blocks.

"I don't know a team out there that wouldn't be able to say that and that's something that certainly was a weakness tonight. That's probably one of the things I'd like to see get stronger in our match tomorrow."

Jamie Tozer for UNB Sports Information.
Photo by Adam Travis.