(HALIFAX, NS) The UNB Reds fell 3-1 to the top-seeded Dalhousie Tigers in the 2019 Subway Atlantic University Sport championship, on Saturday afternoon.
Dal won 25-14, 24-26, 25-12 and 25-17.
Siobhan Fitzpatrick (Kelowna, BC) led the Reds, playing her final U SPORTS match, with 15 kills and 17 digs.
"Despite today not being the result we wanted, I could not be more proud of this squad," said Fitzpatrick. "The turnaround year that we've had, to go from not winning a single game last year to making it to the AUS final, I could not be more proud to have played out my last year at this institution."
Megan Kuciak (Ottawa, ON) also registered 17 digs, and Victoria Eadle (Gallagher Ridge, NB) added 14.
Paige Lehto (North Vancouver, BC) had 29 serve assists.
"It was not the outcome we wanted, and we didn't show what we've been doing all season on the court today," said Lehto. "We battled hard, but we also let a lot of stuff slip and I think it's a little bit of vinegar. It's a sour taste in our mouths. We know this is a team that we can beat and it's just a little hard to take."
The Tigers opened the match on 5-0 run, punctuated by a big kill by Julie Moore (Halifax, NS) and forcing an early Reds time-out.
Dalhousie ran the score to 7-0 before UNB got on the board, by way of a service error.
UNB didn't score consecutive points until pulling to within five, at 12-7.
The Tigers led 16-7 at the technical time-out, before earning the 25-14 victory.
The break proved beneficial for the Reds, who struck first in the second set.
In a back-and-forth set, and after Dal had built a small lead, UNB tied it 7-7 and then took their first lead at 8-7 on four consecutive points.
The Tigers fashioned another lead, before the Reds would draw even 12-12, and pull ahead 13-12.
Looking to halt the momentum, the Tigers called time-out.
Dal led 16-15 at the technical time-out, and the teams then traded points with the score being tied 16-16, 17-17, 18-18 until a big block allowed Dal to go ahead 21-18.
UNB then put together a 3-0 run before Lehto served four straight points to give UNB the 26-24 second set win.
In the third set, the Tigers opened with a 6-0 run.
UNB struggled throughout the set, trailing 16-5 at the technical time-out.
Down 21-6, the Reds scored on a long rally and quickly added another to make it 21-8.
The Reds would add more, but Dal prevailed 25-12, taking a two-games-to-one lead.
The fourth set was another back and forth affair.
The Tigers and Reds were tied 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 8-8, 9-9, and 10-10 before Dal went on a short run to lead 13-10 and force a Reds time-out.
The home team led 16-12 at the technical time-out.
In the latter stages of the set, the Reds were able to get as close as 18-15, but the Tigers pulled away again, winning 25-17 to earn their seventh straight AUS championship.
"We know we can get here and we need that extra step and we didn't get that today," said Lehto. "I think it's motivation for the years to come. This is an amazing program and it's only got growing to do."
Emotion overcame several of the Reds following the match.
Having played out her eligibility, Fitzpatrick was among those wiping tears from her eyes.
She says she tried not to think about it.
"I didn't want to dwell on the fact that this could be, potentially, the last time suiting up. I really wanted to take in the experience for what it is and to just allow myself to reap the benefit. I've worked so hard, and this team has worked so hard, and I just wanted to put the work in on the court and just have fun."
Fitzpatrick, who played her first four seasons at UBC-Okanagan, will remain with the Reds next season, but in a coaching role.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Trevor MacMillian/for Dal Athletics