(HALIFAX, NS) The Memorial Sea-Hawks beat the UNB REDS in straight sets on Friday evening, in the first game for both teams at the Atlantic University Sport League Tournament, at Dalhousie.

This was the first victory of the season for Memorial, moving them off the bottom of the standings.

The game began with UNB and Memorial trading points until Memorial used two separate three-point runs to take a 10-5 lead and put UNB on their back foot. The Sea-Hawks' first set was highlighted by very strong play at the net on defence, as their front line got hands on almost all of UNB's hits.

A technical timeout, with the score 16-12 for Memorial, and a REDS timeout just after, at 18-12, tried to stop Memorial's momentum but to no avail. The Sea-Hawks rode a streak of eight straight points to build a lead and eventually win the set 25-15.

Even though the REDS couldn't find their rhythm in the opening set, Isla Olesen (Calgary, AB) had three kills to try and keep UNB in the set. On the other side, Sophie O'Rourke (Prince George, BC), Melissa Hatfield (Beaverlodge, AB) and Cecile Dumaresque (St. John's, NL) all had two kills as Memorial shared the attack.

In the second set, UNB rode a string of Memorial errors to win four straight points and force a timeout from the Sea-Hawks with the score 8-4 UNB. After the timeout, Emma Burns (Fredericton, NB) and Olesen each hit a kill to maintain the REDS advantage, but Memorial kept battling and got the set to 11-11.

From there, Memorial was able to build a slight lead and forced UNB to call a timeout with the score 22-18 Sea-Hawks. Memorial finished the set and won 25-20.

Kristen Burns (Mississauga, ON) was a bright spot for UNB in the second set, finishing with four kills. On Memorial's side it was again their defence that allowed them to win the set.

The REDS showed relentless energy in the third set to stay in the game, but Memorial were able to battle through and close out the game. Neither side gained full control of the final set until Memorial got a 15-11 lead, after which UNB called a timeout. Memorial hung on and finished the set 25-20, winning the game in straight sets.

Kristen Burns had 10 kills and 14 digs for UNB.

Both teams are in action again Saturday.

Memorial faces Acadia, in a scheduled 3:30 start, while the REDS tangle with the host Tigers, in a game scheduled to start at 7:00pm.

RECAP BY: Dal Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Kate Collings/for Dal Athletics