Axewomen comeback in opening set and deliver 3-0 match win over SMU

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – The Axewomen volleyball team captured their second win in a row in the new year with a 3-0 sweep of the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies in front of a boisterous crowd at Stu Aberdeen Court.

Acadia's Lucy Glen-Carter was named the AUS Subway Player of the Game for another outstanding game high 15 kills, 15 digs and four solo blocks.

"It feels great. The energy was great out there tonight. It's the first time beating SMU this season," said Glen-Carter after the match.

Glen-Carter noted the crowd's impact to their play tonight. "Our football boys really bring it home. Our friends are amazing. We do it for them."

The Axewomen trailed the Huskies 12-5 in the early going of the opening set. A kill by Taylor Collombin triggered Acadia's comeback at 13-20. The Axewomen went on a 10-3 run that tied the match at 23. An attack error by the Huskies coupled with a Glen-Carter kill gave the Axewomen a 25-23 first set win.

Out to a 16-8 lead in the second set, the Axewomen maintained a significant lead for the duration of the second game, wrapping up with a 25-17 win and 2-0 match advantage.

Acadia continued their high-pressure offense and stellar defense into the eventual final game. The Huskies had an early lead that built up to 12-9, but the Axewomen tied the set at 12 and pushed out to a 15-12 lead before Saint Mary's tied the match at 16 on an Acadia service error and then took a one point lead at 17-16 on a kill by Anna Watt.

Glen-Carter's kill that tied the third game at 17-17 was the last that the Axewomen would trail the Huskies. First year setter Sydney Zakutney and veteran outside hitter Hannah Helm added two kills to give Acadia a 19-17 lead that they would not relinquish.

Pushing out to a 22-18 lead, Acadia would hold on to win the third and final set 25-21. The Axewomen recorded a hitting efficiency of 0.206 for the third game.

Zakutney would finish the match with 32 sets, five digs and two service aces. Hannah Helm added seven kills to a team total of 35.

Huskie Anna Watt was named the Player of the Game for Saint Mary's. Watt posted eight kills and two service aces for the Huskies.

The Axewomen improve to 11-4 and head to UNB next Friday and Saturday, while the Huskies drop to 13-7 and host Memorial for two matches next weekend.

Source, Acadia