(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS scored their second consecutive straight sets win over the Memorial Sea-Hawks in Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball play Saturday, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.
The REDS dominated with scores of 25-14, 25-11, and 25-22.
Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC) led the REDS with nine kills and eight digs.
Maria Moores (Conception Bay South, NL) led Memorial with five kills and 11 digs.
Elizabeth Roemer (Pitt Meadows, BC) was named the Tim Hortons Player of the Game with an impressive 1.000% hitting and nine kills.
"I'm feeling really good," said Roemer. "Winning in three is really exciting. The first two sets were definitely better than the third, but we were able to pull through and get the results we wanted."
The first set opened with back-and-forth momentum. However, in the second half, the REDS showed their strength.
Memorial grabbed the lead first, going up 2-1.
The REDS pulled ahead, scoring four consecutive points to go up 8-4.
The set would close with more back and forth from both teams, but the REDS consistent efforts would gain them the 25-14 set win.
The second set followed the lead of the first and the REDS would score eight of nine points to begin the set, leading 8-1.
Memorial would find their footing going five straight points in an attempt to battle back. Nella Woelfel (St. John's, NL) would lead the storm with a service ace.
With Memorial narrowing the scoring gap, the REDS would rally, led by Talia Nixon (Fredericton, NB), with back to back service aces pushing the lead to 16-8.
"I think what set us apart was our passing, it was really good tonight," said Roemer. "Cat [Catherine Burns] our setter did a really good job at spreading the offence so the other team's blockers had trouble closing, so we had lots of seams."
The REDS took the second set 25-11.
The third set was much closer.
With two kills, Memorial's Taylar Johnston (Nokomis, SK) helped the team to four straight points, opening the third set 4-1.
Seeing the most significant lead from Memorial, the REDS would close in and battle back to tie the set and assume the lead on two kills from Roemer.
Memorial's Halle Wirth (Winnipeg, MB) would tie the set 8-8 and the team followed, going on another four-point run and taking the lead at 11-8.
The REDS countered with a four-point run of their own.
The set closed with more back and forth action, peering to be a close game. The REDS would come out victorious, finishing the final set 25-22.
"With back-to-back wins to start the season, our team is feeling really good," added Roemer. "We have Dal next weekend, and this is really good momentum to go into the weekend as they're ranked number one right now. We're feeling prepared."
The REDS will be in Halifax to face the Tigers on Friday. Game time is scheduled for 6:00pm.
Memorial will also be in Halifax, taking on Saint Mary's.
RECAP BY: Madison Tucker/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics