Skip to navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
New addition Mikanovich helps lead Huskies to three-set win over Aigles Bleues
Posted: Jan 13, 2023

New addition Mikanovich helps lead Huskies to three-set win over Aigles Bleues

Tickets Photos Box Score
Game Leaders
Moncton
K: Ivana Urquhart-Mladi - 6
B: 2 Players (#7, #14) - 1
D: Emily Robichaud - 14
SA: Abigail Pallister - 4
Saint Mary's
K: Emilia Mikanovich - 12
B: Madison Hann - 2
D: Emilia Mikanovich - 11
SA: 2 Players (#1, #13) - 4
Team Stats
Full stats

HALIFAX, N.S. – The Saint Mary's Huskies started off 2023 on the right foot with a three-set victory (25-23, 25-12, 25-14) over the visiting Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues on Friday night at the Homburg Centre.

A pair of new additions for the Huskies – outside hitter Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) and middle Alena Piatukhova (Minsk, Belarus) – made a huge impact in their first AUS appearance in the maroon and white, with Mikanovich recording a match-high 12 kills and being named Subway Player of the Game.

The first set was a back-and-forth affair, with Moncton getting off to an early 6-3 lead, led by some strong play by middle Ivana Urquhart-Mladineo (Saint-Jean, NB). The Huskies had some strong service, including back-to-back aces from outside hitter Megan Bruhm (Hubley, NS), to give them a 12-9 lead. Moncton was able to come back to tie the match at 23-23, but the Huskies all-star duo of Bruhm and Olivia Bell (Lahave, NS), recorded back-to-back kills to give the home side a 25-23 first set win.

Bell led all players with four kills in the first set, while Bruhm added three kills and three service aces. The Aigles Bleues were led by Urquhart-Mladineo who recorded four kills and a block.

The Aigles Bleus got off to a strong start in the second set, taking an early 5-4 lead, before the Huskies came roaring back. Saint Mary's would win the second set by a commanding score of 25-12, as their excellent service continued with five aces in the set, including three from second year middle Madison Hann (Conquerall Mills, NS).

The third set saw more of the same, a competitive start as the teams were tied 8-8, before the Huskies pulled away. Mikanovich was the standout in the third set, recording five kills and a block, while fellow Belarusian Piatukhova recorded the final kill of the match and added two assists in the third set.

Emilia Mikanovich was named Subway Player of the Game with a game-high 12 kills and no attack errors on 20 attempts (.600 kill %), along with a team high 11 digs, and one block. Olivia Bell contributed nine kills, two service aces, four digs and one block, Megan Bruhm chipped in seven kills, four service aces, an assist and a block, Madison Hann added four service aces, two blocks, an assist and a kill, and setter Taylor Lougheed (Calgary, AB) led all players with 24 assists, and added eight digs, one kill and a service ace.

"I was excited for my first game with a new team. I'm still getting used to (my teammates) but I think it was a good start," said Mikanovich post-game. "I hope that we can lead our team to the championship, win and go higher and higher and show how strong the Huskies are!"

The Aigles Bleues were led by Ivana Urquhart-Mladineo with six kills, one block, one dig and one service ace. Sara Chiasson (Pointe-à-Bouleau, NB) added four kills and five digs, and Abigail Pallister (Moncton, NB), added four service aces, one block and one kill.

The Huskies third straight win improved their record to 6-3 on the season, good for third in the conference. They'll be back on homecourt tomorrow, as they host the Acadia Axewomen (7-2) at 2 p.m. at the Homburg Centre. GET TICKETS

The Aigles Bleues loss dropped their record to 2-8 on the campaign. They will continue their road trip on Sunday, as they take on the Acadia Axewomen at 2 p.m. in Wolfville, N.S.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics