Posted: Jan 26, 2024
ST. JOHN'S - The Memorial Sea-Hawks fell to the Acadia Axewomen in the first game out of a two-game series in three sets with scores of 25-22, 25-20, 25-21.
The majority of the first set consisted of tight back-and-forth play by both teams. Both teams were completing stiff blocks to avoid the opposing team's kills. The Acadia Axewomen were serving hard, causing Memorial to struggle to keep the ball alive but Memorial battled hard to keep the game tied at nine a side. Sea-Hawks Taylar Johnston completed multiple kills and blocks to gain her team some points. Midway through the set, Sea-HAwks #16 Lydia Grawer found her groove and began to hit some hard kills onto the floor on the Axe-Women's side.
Some tricky serves by Axewoman Wesley-Ann Bailey gained her team some points but they were quickly counteracted by the Sea-Hawks to make the game 16-15 for the Axewomen. The Acadia Axewomen established a rhythm and began a six-point rally interrupted by only one Sea-Hawks point until the Sea-Hawks called a timeout. After the timeout, the Sea-Hawks gained two quick points from an opposing service error and a service ace by Lydia Grawer.
After the Sea-Hawks came back and tied the game 20-20, the Axewomen called a timeout of their own in hopes of finding consistency late in the set. The game climbed to 23-21 for the Axewomen where Memorial called a late timeout. The Axe-Women took the set 25-22.
The second set opened with a kill from Sea-Hawks Lydia Grawer. Acadia then gained a quick two points before switching the serve back to the Sea-Hawks. The Axewomen took control of the set early on, gaining an 8-4 lead before the Sea-Hawks called a timeout. The Axewomen set a stiff block to gain the next point to continue their streak. They then managed to push ahead, 11-4 where the
Sea-Hawks used their second timeout of the set.
The Sea-Hawks began to gain the scoreboard and force the Axewomen into a timeout as the score read 17-12 Acadia. The Sea-Hawks brought some hard kills to gain some points to force the Axewomen into a timeout at 21-18 Acadia. Acadia stayed consistent and climbed the board to gain the set 25-20.
The third set opened with a kill from Acadia's Alexia Lemay-Evans. They gained a quick 8-4 lead, finding some serious consistency on the court. Erica Fisher contributed to multiple blocks to help her team lengthen their lead. Kills from across the board helped the Sea-Hawks cut the lead to 13-11 midway through the set. Sea-Hawks' Lydia Grawer gained a kill followed by three serves including a service ace to rally her team back in the game and inch the score 14-17.
A strong team effort from the Sea-Hawks continued their comeback and played the score 21-19 Acadia at an Acadia timeout. The Sea-Hawks tied the game at 21 with a kill from Courtney Hodder. Acadia gained the next four points to take the final set 25-21.
Memorial's Lydia Grawer led the game, contributing to 12 points, and hoisting 10 kills. Behind her was teammate Courtney Hodder contributing to eight points with seven kills. Libero Sarah Trowbridge dug 16 balls to keep her team in the game.
On Acadia's side, Jenna Lake had six kills and Eve Collombin and Wesley-Ann Bailey had five each. Rebecca Dorsey led her team with seven digs.
The teams face each other once again tomorrow January 27th at 1:00 p.m. NST.