(FREDERICTON, NB) The Universite de Moncton Aigles Bleues beat the UNB Varsity Reds 3-1 on Sunday. Moncton won 25-19, 25-16, 23-25 and 25-16.
The loss ends UNB's three game winning streak, which started on February 1st with a win over the same U de M side.
Christelle Bertin(Beresford, NB) led Moncton with 22 digs and 11 kills.
Pascale Doiron(Caraquet, NB) had 14 kills and 16 digs, while Judith Desjardins(Fredericton, NB) registered a game high 45 assists.
"We were better prepared," said Desjardins. "We had a couple of things that we'd worked on all week, and I think that worked for us."
Robyn Anderson(Fernie, BC) led the Varsity Reds with 10 kills and 7 digs, while Maggie McLenahan(Oromocto, NB) had 19 digs. Natalie Arsenault(Moncton, NB) had 30 assists for UNB.
"We didn't really put up big blocks today and we didn't play well in the back court and get the digs we needed to get," said Anderson. "We also made a few too many errors and kind of handed the game to them."
The opening set was close, with Moncton establishing its lead based on quick two and three point runs.
In the second, the Aigles Bleues built a 10-5 lead then went on a 3-0 run to go up 19-12 before winning 25-19.
The Varsity Reds showed life in the third set, establishing a 7-4 lead before allowing Moncton to go up 10-8. The two teams tied at 20, 21 and 23 before UNB rode the serving of Julia Diemert(Egbert, ON) to take the set 25-23.
Moncton stormed back in the fourth set, using a 9-0 run to build a 9-2 lead. The Aigles Bleues never looked back, winning 25-16 and taking the match 3-1.
Happy with the win, Desjardins says revenge was not a factor.
"I think last time they had a really good game," she said. "They kind of caught us by surprise, which is good for them, but this time we just wanted to pick ourselves up. No matter who's on the other side of the net, we take care of us and be the better team."
The Varsity Reds record falls to 3-16 with one game remaining, next Saturday's home game against Saint Mary's.
"We all know we're not the best team in the league and need to work to earn every win and need to fight for every win," said Anderson.
Moncton is now 8-9 and headed into a three game series against Memorial next weekend.
The Aigles Bleues already know they'll meet top-ranked Dal in the first round of the playoffs.
"We're on the road to being ready," said Desjardins. "We know we're going to play Dal, that's how the position are. We're confident and we know what we need to work on before then."