Huskies defeat Sea-Hawks in straight sets for seventh straight win
HALIFAX, NS- The Saint Mary's Huskies won their seventh straight match, defeating the Memorial Sea-Hawks in straight sets (25-20, 25-19, 25-13) on Saturday afternoon at the Homburg Centre.
The start of the first set saw both teams drawing even on points, however, it would be the Huskies who would surge ahead, led by service aces from Taylor Lougheed (Calgary, AB), putting them in front 10-4. The Huskies would continue their leading surge, led by a kill from Alena Piatukhova (Minsk, Belarus) and a service ace from Megan Bruhm (Hubley, NS), to extend their lead to 17-19.
The Sea-Hawks made a late come back in the set, seeing them close in with kills from Maria Moores (Conception Bay, NL) and Lydia Grawer (St. Louis, MO), however it would not be enough as the Huskies closed out the set with kills by Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus), winning 25-20.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 11, 2023
Emilia Mikanovich with a huge kill to finish off the first set, 25-20 in favour of the Huskies. Mikanovich led the way with three kills and one service ace.
Watch live: https://t.co/E6PMSnU2LI pic.twitter.com/qaOeOw6CKP
In the second set, the Huskies started strong, however, with Huskies communication and attack errors the Sea-Hawks took advantage of the momentum. However, it would not be long before the Huskies got into a rhythm with kills from Olivia Bell (Lahave, NS), and Bruhm saw the Huskies jump out to a 14-8 set lead.
The Sea-Hawks made a valiant effort to close the gap with kills from Grawer, Courtney Hodder (Main Point, NL), and Emily Batt (Grande Prairie, AB). However, the Huskies would capitalize on kills by Bruhm and Mikanovich and a service ace by Piatukhova, closing out the second set 25-19.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 11, 2023
Once again Emilia Mikanovich takes over late in the second set to secure the Huskies win, 25-19. Huskies take a 2-0 set lead. pic.twitter.com/pPoG8ch3PM
The third set opened up early, with both teams trading service and attack errors. With the Sea-Hawks taking a time-out, resumed play saw the Huskies come out settled and focused with kills from Bell and Bruhm and a block by Lougheed, putting them ahead 9-4.
The Sea-Hawks didn't waiver and stayed strong with a service ace from Halle Wirth (Winnipeg, MB) and a kill from Grawer pulling them within a few at 13-8, still searching for the lead.
The Huskies stayed strong scoring four points in a row with kills from Piatukhova pulling them up to 18-9. The Sea-Hawks looked to stay in the game with a service ace from Hodder. However, the Huskies offense stayed strong with service aces from Mikanovich and kills from Paige Deering (Calgary, AB) and Bruhm pulling in the set win for the Huskies 25-13.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 11, 2023
Huskies finish off the Sea-Hawks in straight sets (25-20, 25-19, 25-13) for their seventh straight win! Madison Hann named Subway Player of the Game with three kills, three assists and two blocks. pic.twitter.com/fymOSMEyGk
Huskies middle Madison Hann (Conquerall Mills, NS) was named Subway Player of the Game, being an offensive presence with three kills, four assists, and two digs on the match.
It was a true team offensive effort in the match, with Megan Bruhm leading the team with eight kills and five digs, with Taylor Lougheed leading the team with 16 assists and six service aces. Emilia Mikanovich was also a dominant presence for the Huskies, with six kills, six service aces, and three digs.
Lydia Grawer led the Sea-Hawks with eight kills, two service aces, and two digs, Courtney Hodder with five kills, and Karen Greek (Mount Pearl, NL), had two kills, 17 assists, four service aces, and four digs.
The Huskies seventh straight win improved their record to 13-4 on the season. The Seahawks loss dropped their record to 0-19 on the season. The two teams will meet again on Sunday, February 11, at 12 p.m. at the Homburg Centre.
Recap by Alyson Duffy / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics