SMU sweeps weekend matches versus UNB

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – The Huskies won their fourth game in a row by defeating the UNB Reds 3-1 (11-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-23) at the Homburg Centre on Saturday afternoon. Saint Mary's improves to 11-6 in Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball action, while UNB drops to 8-8.

UNB took an easy first set by a score of 25-11. UNB jumped out to scores of 6-0, 15-7 and 20-8 before closing out the set. Saint Mary's then tied the game with a 25-16 victory in the second set. Tied 10-10, Saint Mary's closed out the set on a 15-6 run. The Huskies clawed back to a 25-22 win in set three to head into the fourth set, up 2-1. SMU won the last six points in the third set. The fourth set began with back and forth action before SMU came out with a 25-23 win to finish the match. No team led by more than three points the entire set.

Kristen Burns (Mississauga, ON) paced UNB with a double-double, 11 kills and 11 digs while Robyn Anderson (Jaffray, BC) had 10 kills in the loss. Paige Lehto (North Vancouver, BC) had a team-high 42 assists while Kelsie Dukart (Parkland, AB) added 23 digs for the Reds. Victoria Eadle (Gallagher Ridge, NB) and Adora Rooyakkers (Port Hawkesbury, NS) added 10 kills apiece.

Junior Bethany Smith (Moncton, NB) led the way for SMU with 16 digs and fifth year Emilla Conlon (Dartmouth, NS) had a team-high 42 assists and tallied three digs. Senior Anna Watt (Calgary, AB) led the way for the Huskies, tallying seven kills and 16 digs. Sophomore Olivia Bell (La Have, NS) recorded 12 kills and added six digs.

UNB hits the road for a three-game swing thru Newfoundland versus Memorial University February 7-9.

With the win, the Huskies clinched a playoff spot and have two of their last three games at the Homburg Centre--Feb. 7 at Dal and Feb. 14 versus Moncton and Feb. 15 against Acadia.

Dominic Nolasco, SMU

Photo Nick Pearce