The Saint Mary's Huskies and UNB Reds kicked off the opening weekend of AUS women's volleyball action with back-to-back victories.
The Huskies edged the Acadia Axewomen 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23) to open the AUS women's volleyball season on Friday night. Megan Bruhm led the Huskies' offence with 14 kills, one ace and three blocks, and Emilia Mikanovich finished with 12 kills and a block. Their teammate Taylor Lougheed finished with 34 assists, while also picking up 10 digs. The Axewomen were led by Jenna Lake's 13 kills and an ace. Charlotte Dean had 30 assists and four digs on the night to quarterback the offence.
The Huskies defeated the Axewomen three sets to one (25-20, 15-25, 25-19, 26-24) in a thrilling home opener for Saint Mary's on Saturday night in Halifax. The Huskies attack was led by Player of the Game Olivia Bell and Emilia Mikanovich who each recorded 14 kills, while Megan Bruhm chipped in 11 kills and a game-high 13 digs. Huskies setter Taylor Lougheed led the match with 36 assists and three service aces. The Axewomen were led by 10 kills from Alexia Lemay-Evans, while middle Erica Fisher contributed nine kills and a team-high four blocks. Setter Charlotte Dean recorded 28 assists, while libero Rebecca Dorsey chipped in 12 digs.
The UNB Reds scored a 3-0 win over the Memorial Sea-Hawks Friday night, winning by scores of 25-23, 25-16 and 25-13. Heather Benko led the Reds with 12 kills and nine digs. Sarah Trowbridge led Memorial with 13 kills. UNB's Lydia Green swung an amazing .545% with seven kills, earning Tim Horton's Player of the Game honours.
UNB then scored their second consecutive straight sets win over the Sea-Hawks Saturday, dominating with scores of 25-14, 25-11, and 25-22. Heather Benko led the Reds once again with nine kills and eight digs. Maria Moores led Memorial with five kills and 11 digs. Elizabeth Roemer was named the Tim Hortons Player of the Game with an impressive 1.000% hitting and nine kills.
The Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues edged the Dalhousie Tigers 3-2 Saturday night, coming back to win three straight sets for the victory. Moncton won by scores of 22-25, 19-25, 25-16, 25-21 and 16-14. The Aigles Bleues were led by Kyana Sivret who finished with 12 kills and 12 digs, while Sara Chiasson recorded 10 kills and 20 digs, and Cassidy Martin added 14 digs and 30 assists in the win. For Dalhousie, Lucy Glen-Carter finished with 11 kills and 13 digs, Alessandra Nadalini had 24 digs, and Kirsty Longino recorded 24 assists and 10 digs in the loss.
Sunday afternoon, the Tigers bounced back, defeating the Aigles Bleues 3-2 by scores of 19-25, 21-25, 27-25, 25-17 and 15-12. Talia Dydykhan led the way for Dalhousie with 15 kills, adding 27 digs, while Kyana Sivret finished with 14 kills for Moncton in the loss.
Scores:
Friday, October 27
Memorial 0 at UNB 3
Saint Mary's 3 at Acadia 1
Saturday, October 28
Memorial 0 at UNB 3
Dalhousie 2 at Moncton 3
Acadia 1 at Saint Mary's 3
Sunday, October 29
Dalhousie 3 at Moncton 2
Standings
1. Saint Mary's Huskies (2-0)
2. UNB Reds (2-0)
3. Dalhousie Tigers (1-1)
4. Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues (1-1)
5. Acadia Axewomen (0-2)
6. Memorial Sea-Hawks (0-2)