WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The Axewomen volleyball team fell short in breaking a nine game losing streak in a hard fought 3-1 loss against a visiting UNB Varsity Reds squad.
V-Red Megan Kuciak (Ottawa, Ont.), named the AUS Subway Player of the Game, led UNB with 13 kills.
Trailing for the most part of the opening two sets and the opening of the third, the Axewomen fought back from a 13-8 deficit in the third game to take a 18-17 lead off of a kill by Acadia Player of the Game Peyton DeWolfe (Bridgewater, N.S.).
Acadia would win the third set 26-24, after the Varsity Reds refused to give up, tying the match at 23 and 24 before a kill by Lauryn Renzelle and a bad set by UNB gave Acadia a third game victory.
Losing the opening two sets 25-16 and 25-18, the Axewomen closed the match deficit to 2-1 with the third game win.
Ahead 13-10 in the fourth game, the Axewomen gave up the lead on a UNB service ace, two bad Acadia sets and an attack error.
Trailing UNB 16-15, Acadia would eventually tie the set at 20 and 24 but two attack errors cost the Axewomen a fourth and final set win.
Axewomen head coach Michelle Wood was disappointed with the loss, but was positive on so many levels about the team's performance overall.
"Our overall performance today was more complete, with players contributing in different aspects. I thought our first year middle Jamie Crockett worked really hard today and brought our team back in a tough serving run after being down 12-16 at the technical time out in set 3," noted Wood.
"Fiona (McGuinty) was up and available working to hold her middle blocker, which opened up the release to Peyton (DeWolfe) who attacked with diversity, while passing the best she has all season," added Wood.
"Willow (Gedlaman) and Lauryn (Renzella) had a great connection helping Lauryn post a .312 hitting efficiency. At a tough point nearing the end of the 4th set, Kaitlyn (Franklin) and Regan (Herrington) went in and their presence made a difference. It helped that Micaela (Sabean) who earned our three aces of the match went on a serving run to bring us back into the lead 23-20," said Wood
Lauryn Renzella (Stouffville, Ont.) had a team high 12 kills and a hitting efficiency of 0.312, while teammate Peyton DeWolfe added nine kilsl of her own. Kaily Evans (St. Andrews, Man.) put in a great defensive effort with 22 digs.
"Our team is working hard to get better everyday, technically and with our response to challenge, we are making improvements that may not necessarily be reflected in our results," commented Wood. "This group has a lot of potential and they need to remain confident moving forward."
UNB improves to 2-15 with a two game winning streak and head to Saint Mary's tomorrow afternoon to take on the Huskies at 2:00 p.m., while the Axewomen host the Huskies next Friday night at 7:00 p.m.