Huskies Blank REDS

(HALIFAX, NS) The Saint Mary's Huskies defeated the UNB REDS in straight sets, 25-21, 25-17, and 25-16, on Sunday afternoon to sweep their weekend series.

Fresh off a four-set battle on Saturday night, the two teams continued to look evenly matched through the majority of the first set, with several ties throughout. With the Huskies leading 15-14, middle Madison Hann (Conqueral Mills, NS) served an ace, and three straight kills from Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) and Alena Piatukhova (Minsk, Belarus) helped the Huskies open up a 20-15 advantage.

The REDS battled back with some strong play from outside hitter Lydia Green (Bedford, NS), but a kill from Huskies left-side Olivia Bell (Lahave Islands, NS) finished the set with the home team taking it 25-21.

In the second, the Huskies took an early 5-1 advantage on some great passing from setter Taylor Lougheed (Calgary, AB), who connected on three straight kills with Bell, Piatukhova and Megan Bruhm (Hubley, NS). REDS outside hitter Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC) did her best to keep her team within striking distance with a couple kills and a service ace, but the Huskies led the set from start to finish and took it 25-17.

The third set saw more of the same from the Huskies, middles Hann and Piatukhova dominated play at the net, while Lougheed delivered passes to the attacking trio of Mikanovich, Bell and Bruhm. Not to be outdone, REDS libero Jenna Adams (Truro, NS) led the match with 24 digs, but the Huskies attack proved to be too much for the REDS and Saint Mary's won the third 25-16.

The Huskies attack was led by Mikanovich who recorded a game-high 17 kills and 13 digs. Bell chipped in with 13 kills, four service aces, 10 digs and two blocks, while Bruhm contributed nine kills, two service aces, eight assists and block.

The REDS were led by Green's seven kills and five digs, while Benko chipped in six kills, five digs and three service aces, and middle Meghan Vaags (Abbotsford, BC) added five kills and two blocks.

The win improves the Huskies' record to 7-3. The Huskies next see action on Friday, when they host the Acadia Axewomen (8-2).

The REDS loss drops them to 5-5. UNB will be back on the road next weekend as they visit the Memorial Sea-Hawks (0-10) for a pair of matches on Friday and Saturday.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics