Huskies Beat REDS, Force Decisive Match

(HALIFAX, NS) The Saint Mary's Huskies beat the UNB REDS in straight sets (25-15, 25-15, 25-20) in game two of the Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball semi-final on Sunday night in Halifax.

"Athought it was a tough night on the court for us, we're walking away with lessons learned and our heads held high," said REDS' head coach Lauren Hale-Miller.

The Huskies came out strong in a must-win game. Outstanding play from left side hitters Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) and Sydney Fader (Dartmouth, NS) helped the Huskies open a lead, before middle Anna Liniewski (Burnaby, BC) finished off the set with a kill, as the Huskies took the opener 25-15. 

The second set saw the Huskies continue their strong play, especially on the service line, as Fader hit a service ace to open up a 9-3 lead before pushing it to 17-4. UNB cut into the deficit, led by outside hitter Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC), who had six kills in the second set alone. With the Saint Mary's lead cut to 22-14, the team took a timeout and responded, winning the second set 25-15.

The third set was more of the same, the Huskies service game was too much to stop and the home team went up 5-1 early. The REDS battled back behind the service of middle Danielle Krzywonos (Valley, NS), scoring four straight points to tie the score 9-9. The rest of the set was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team leading by more than two points, until Huskies outside hitter Breanna Golding (Pickering, ON) scored back-to-back kills to push the lead to 21-18.  Moments later, another Golding kill brought up match point, where Mikanovich finished it with a kill as the Huskies took the third set 25-20, sweeping the REDS in straight sets.

The Huskies put up 15 service aces as a team and Mikanovich delivered a match-high 27 points on 24 kills, two aces, and a block. She also added 18 digs and two assists.

The REDS were led by Benko, who had 11 kills and five digs, while Talia Nixon (Fredericton, NB) dished out 21 assists. 

With the win, the Huskies tie the best-of-three semi-final series at one game apiece, setting up a decisive third game, which will be played on Monday night at 7:00pm in Halifax.

"We know what's on the line for Monday," said Coach Hale-Miller. "We're excited to get back on the court and get the W to take the series."

RECAP BY: Allan April / SMU Athletics
PHOTOS By:  Eduardo Ibarra / for SMU Athletics