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Huskies take game one of AUS semifinal with four set victory over Axewomen
Posted: Feb 23, 2023

Huskies take game one of AUS semifinal with four set victory over Axewomen

Photos Box Score
Game Leaders
Acadia
K: Sydney Zakutney - 10
B: Wesley-Ann Bailey - 6
D: Rebecca Dorsey - 22
SA: Charlotte Dean - 2
Saint Mary's
K: Olivia Bell - 13
B: Madison Hann - 9
D: Emilia Mikanovich - 22
SA: 2 Players (#11, #17) - 2
Team Stats
Full stats

HALIFAX, NS – Saint Mary's all-star left side Olivia Bell posted a game-high 16 points and 13 kills in helping lead the Huskies to a come-from-behind four set win over the Acadia Axewomen (22-25, 25-21, 25-21, 25-20) in game one of the AUS best-of-three semifinal on Thursday night in Halifax.

"It definitely is really important and set the tone for the series." said Bell post-game. "We tend to be a team that comes out slow sometimes, but today we came out really hot, really focused and executed all of our goals."

After a pre-game ceremony to honour Bell and other AUS All-Stars and award winners from the Huskies and the Axewomen, the game started off competitive as expected, with the two teams playing to an even 10-10 start.

The Axewomen started to pull away over the second half of the set, with some great play by outside hitter Sydney Zakutney (Ottawa, ON) and middle Erica Fisher (Middle Stewiacke, NS) who combined for five kills in the set, and Acadia opened up a 22-18 lead.

A huge block by Bell and middle Madison Hann (Conqueral Mills, NS) cut the lead to 23-22, but the Axewomen were able to finish the Huskies off with a block by Fisher, and take the opening set 25-22.

"In the first set we missed probably five or six serves, which basically was the difference that we lost by," explained Bell post-game. "I think we refocused in the second set and really set the tone by serving aggressive, serving hard seams and getting them out of system as much as we could."

The Huskies came out rejuvenated in the second set, opening up a quick 8-2 lead thanks to some great service by middle Alena Piatukhova (Minsk, Belarus), and successful attacks from first team all-star outside hitters Bell and Megan Bruhm (Hubley, NS).

The Axewomen were able to cut into the lead and tie it up at 16-16, but the Huskies pulled away again thanks to some strong play at the net, as they scored five points off of blocks in the second set. Piatukhova finished it off with a big kill to give the Huskies a 25-21 second set win, and tie the match at one set apiece.

Saint Mary's continued their momentum into the third set, as a service ace by setter Taylor Lougheed (Calgary, AB), and a block from Megan Bruhm extended the home team's lead to 10-4.

Once again, Acadia was able to push back and cut the lead to 16-15, with middle Wesley-Ann Bailey (Ottawa, ON) picking up four kills in the set. But the Huskies were able to pull away late and win the third set 25-21 to take a 2-1 set advantage.

The fourth set saw the Huskies set the tone at the net early, with middle Madison Hann blocking several Axewomen attacks, and the Huskies opening up a 14-8 lead.

For the third consecutive set, the Axewomen pushed back to cut the Huskies lead to one, but were unable to regain control of the lead, and a kill by Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) finished off their comeback effort, giving the Huskies a 25-20 fourth set win and 1-0 lead in the best-of-three semifinal series.

Olivia Bell was named Subway Player of the Game for the Huskies, leading all players with 16 points, 13 kills, and adding 15 digs, two blocks, one assist and one service ace. Mikanovich chipped in 11.5 points including nine kills, two service aces and 22 digs, while Hann had an outstanding match with four solo blocks and five block assists.

Axewomen libero Rebecca Dorsey (Toronto, ON) was named Subway Player of the Game for the visitors with 22 digs and three assists. Wesley-Ann Bailey led the attack with 13 points including eight kills and six blocks, while Sydney Zakutney chipped in 10 kills and 13 digs.

Game two of the semifinal series will take place Friday night at the Homburg Centre, with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m. GET TICKETS

"We definitely just need to get a rehab in, get some good sleep, good food, and show up with the same mindset tomorrow," said Bell post-game. "We had a nice little dance circle at the beginning of the game, it got everybody a little bit loose, so I think we'll go into tomorrow with the same routine."

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics