(ST. JOHN'S, NL) The UNB Reds beat the Memorial Sea-Hawks 3-1 on Friday, in the first of a three match weekend series between the Atlantic University Sport rivals.
UNB won with scores of 25-23, 25-21, 31-33, and 25-15.
The Hawks and Reds traded points throughout an exciting opening set, but it would be UNB who handled the pressure a little better to take the set 25-23.
UNB used that momentum to earn a 25-21 second set win. Memorial fought back late in the set, but was unable to make up a nine-point hole they dug for themselves.
The Sea-Hawks responded with a great effort in a marathon of a third set. Memorial won 33-31, to get the home crowd fired up.
UNB regrouped nicely after losing the third set, with their best set of the evening, defeating the Hawks 25-15 to take the match.
The Reds were led by Victoria Eadle (Gallagher Ridge, NB) who finished with 18 kills on .163 hitting, and also tallied 20 digs. Adora Rooyakkers (Port Hawkesbury, NS) was a key contributor in the Reds victory, finishing with 15 kills and 17 digs, including the 350th dig of her Atlantic University Sport career.
Paige Lehto (North Vancouver, BC) had 44 assists for UNB and was named the Subway Player of the Match.
Memorial got a fantastic performance from Katie Wagar (Halifax, NS), who finished with 32 digs and seemed to be all over the court all match.
With the win, UNB is now 9-and-8, while Memorial falls to 0-and-18.
The second match of the weekend series takes place on Saturday, at 6:30pm Atlantic.
RECAP BY: Memorial Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Dani Ahmad/for Memorial Athletics