Huskies defeat Aigles Bleues in straight sets to improve to 2-0

The Saint Mary's Huskies women's volleyball team continued their successful season-opening weekend, defeating the Moncton Aigles Bleues in three sets (25-20, 25-19, 25-22) on Saturday night at the Homburg Centre.

The first set was a back-and-forth affair, as Moncton opened up an 11-6 lead, but the Huskies came roaring back to eventually take the set 25-20, with a kill from Paige Deering (Calgary, AB) finishing off the set.

In the second set, the Huskies had a better start, opening up a 15-6 lead thanks in part to some great service by Madeline Watson (Brampton, ON). The Aigles Bleues cut into the lead with Abigail Pallister (Moncton, NB) scoring three straight service aces to cut the lead to 21-17, before the Huskies finished them off, winning the set 25-19 off a kill from Megan Bruhm (Hubley, NS).

The Huskies were in control for most of the third set, taking leads of 7-3 and 17-13. Moncton was able to cut into the lead with some great play by Joanie Arsenault (Tracadie-Sheila, NB) to tie it at 18-18, but the Huskies went on a run with Watson and Bruhm combining for four kills, before Huskies all-star Olivia Bell (Lahave, NS) finished off the match with a kill to give the Huskies the set 25-22, and the match three sets to zero.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Olivia Bell with the match winning kill as the Huskies defeat the @aiglesbleus 3-0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-22) to improve to 2-0 on the season. pic.twitter.com/AZLCxdGoyD

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 29, 2022

First year setter Taylor Lougheed (Calgary, AB) was named Subway Player of the Game with 26 assists, two blocks, and one service ace. Olivia Bell (Lahave, NS), led all players with 13 kills and 15 digs, while middle Paige Deering (Calgary, AB) posted two solo blocks and two block assists.

The Aigles Bleues were led by Ivana Urquhart-Mladineo (Saint-Jean, NB) with seven kills and four digs, while setter Cassidy Martin (Dieppe, NB) added 25 assists and Abigail Pallister (Moncton, NB) added three service aces.

The Huskies win improved their record to 2-0 on the campaign. The Huskies will be back at home next Saturday, Nov. 5 as they host crosstown rival Dalhousie Tigers at 7 p.m. at the Homburg Centre.

The Aigles Bleues loss drops their record to 0-1. They'll be back in action tomorrow, taking on the Dalhousie Tigers at 2 p.m. at the Dalplex.

Recap by Allan April / SMU Huskies Athletics