(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds capitalized on strong net play and the elevated performances of three graduating players to beat l'Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues 3-0 on Friday.
UNB won with scores of 25-22, 25-18, and 25-20.
"That feels really good," said fifth year Reds middle Robyn Anderson (Jaffray, BC), after playing her final game in UNB's Currie Center. "It feels like a really nice way to end my career here, and a really good thing moving into next weekend."
Anderson, who had six kills and five digs, was named Subway Player of the Game.
In a back-and-forth first set, the teams traded leads.
Moncton pulled ahead 15-13, before UNB drew even at 15-15.
Les Aigles Bleues led 16-15 at technical time-out.
After the break, the Reds picked up their game, fighting to a tie at 18, then going ahead 23-21, on route to 25-22 victory.
The second set saw the Reds race out to a 4-0 lead, before Moncton clawed back to 4-3.
A Paige Lehto (North Vancouver, BC) ace pushed UNB's lead to 6-3.
Then, solid blocking from Anderson and Adora Rooyakkers (Port Hawkesbury, NS) limited Moncton opportunities, and UNB led 16-10 at the technical time-out.
A 4-0 run by the visitors prompted a Reds time-out, but UNB regained their poise and scored five of the next seven points to go up 21-16.
They continued to dominate at the net, winning the second set 25-18.
In the third set, the action was again back-and-forth, with each side registering mini-runs.
Tied at 14 and 15, the Reds led 16-15 at the technical time-out.
Les Aigles Bleues kept it close until the Reds pulled ahead 21-18 on the strength of quality play at the net and won 25-20.
Rooyakkers, a fourth-year hitter, led the Reds with 12 kills and 10 digs, while Lehto registered 25 assists.
Eliza Durart (Gallagher Ridge, NB) led Moncton with seven kills and 13 digs. Pascale Doiron (Dieppe, NB) added a dozen digs in the final match of her career.
"It would've been nice if we'd have had a win, but I'm so proud of this team," said an emotional Doiron. "It was more our side, probably some things we have to work on mentally more than physically."
Cassidy Martin (Dieppe, NB) had 25 assists for les Aigles Bleues.
The Reds finish the Atlantic University Sport regular season with a 12-and-8 record, while les Aigles Bleues finish 4-and-16.
UNB ends the regular season winners of four straight matches.
"I'm feeling really grateful for all the support I've had here and being able to call the Currie Center my home, and to have my family here from BC is really special, and all my friends here, and to do it with this group of girls is amazing," said Anderson.
Moncton will miss the AUS Championships, while the Reds prepare to face a still to be determined opponent in the AUS semi-finals.
"We've had our mind set on this all season. I think that the series is a really cool way to do it, and I think we're all ready to go into that and prove that we're there," added Anderson.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Alex Dascalu/for UNB Athletics