(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS emerged victorious against the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues in a thrilling five-set match—25-22, 21-25, 25-21, 24-26, 15-12 on Sunday afternoon at UNB's Richard J. CURRIE CENTER.
Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC) led the way for UNB, notching 14 kills, 12 digs, and 3 service aces, while Meghan Vaags (Abbotsford, BC) and Lydia Green (Bedford, NS) added 10 kills each, and Jenna Adams (Truro, NS) contributed 33 digs in the 3-2 victory for the REDS.
"I think that we played hard when we needed to today," said Benko, named Tim Horton's Player of the Game. "We needed to be a little bit more adaptable to the players on the other side and identify things within our own team so we don't dwell on them mentally. I think that set us back a little bit today, but we were able to overcome it."
Kyana Sivret (Rivière-à-la-Truite, NB) finished with 12 kills and Emily Robicuad had 28 digs in the loss for the Aigles Bleues.
It was a thrilling opening set to start the game, with Moncton initially seizing an 8-3 lead, driven by consecutive kills from Sivret.
However, the REDS responded with a 4-0 run, narrowing Moncton's lead to 8-7.
A series of traded points ensued until UNB secured their first lead of the set off a 4-0 run culminating in a remarkable back-and-forth rally, that was finished off by a decisive block from Kindigo Watson (Calgary, AB).
Building on this momentum, Watson contributed two kills in another 4-0 UNB run, propelling the REDS to a 22-18 lead.
The set concluded with a kill from Green, to give UNB the first set victory, 25-22.
A battle of momentum swings unfolded in the second set.
The REDS started off with an early 4-0 run, capped off by a block from Benko and Vaags.
Moncton swiftly countered with an 8-3 run, establishing a narrow 8-7 lead with contributions from Sivret and Ivana Urquhart-Mladineo (Saint-Jean, NB).
Moncton extended their advantage with a 5-1 run, reaching a 13-9 advantage, and were able to maintain their momentum, closing out the second set, 25-21, courtesy of an attacking error from UNB.
In the third set, the REDS rebounded with a strong performance from Benko, who notched four early kills, establishing an 8-4 lead.
Despite Moncton closing the gap to just two, the REDS regained momentum with a 5-1 run, to jump ahead, 16-10.
UNB went on to close out the third set, 25-21, with a decisive kill from Vaags.
The fourth set remained closely contested, with both teams exchanging significant runs.
The REDS held an 18-14 lead but were unable to close out the match as the Aigles Bleues responded with a 6-2 run to tie the game 20-20.
Moncton ultimately closed out the set 26-24 after an attacking error from UNB, setting up an exciting finish.
It was a tight start to the fifth and final set with neither team giving an inch.
The teams traded points before the REDS were able to pull away with a 4-0 run, closing out the set 15-12 with two kills from Benko and a crucial block from Vaags to seal the victory.
Vaags had an outstanding final set with 3 kills and 3 blocks for UNB.
Up next, the REDS host the Acadia Axewomen in a two-game series next weekend, kicking off on Friday at 6:00 pm at UNB's Richard J. CURRIE CENTER.
"We have to fight for every single point," said Benko. "Nobody is going to give it to us, we have to earn it and work together as a team to pursue every ball and makes sure we can get every touch and every kill we can."
Moncton will face the Saint Mary's Huskies in a home-and-home series, starting on Friday in Halifax, NS at 7:00 pm.
Recap by: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics
Photos by: Fran Harris/for UNB Athletics