Unflappable Bell leads Huskies to a 3-1 victory over the Acadia Axewomen

HALIFAX, NS - In a match of top seeds at the Homburg Centre on Friday night, the Saint Mary's Huskies (8-3) defeated the Acadia Axewomen (8-3) 3-1 in the first game of a home-and-home series. The Huskies rallied behind an awesome performance from player-of-the-game left side Olivia Bell (LaHave Islands, NS) who combined 20 kills-on-47 attempts with inspiring defensive effort.

The Huskies jumped to an early lead, with opposite crosscourt kills assisted by setter Taylor Lougheed (Calgary, AB), first from Bell and then from right side Megan Bruhm (Hubley, NS). One of several layout digs from Huskies libero Morgan Hoskins (Bishop's Falls, NL) set up middle Madison Hann (Conqueral Mills, NS) for an overpowering kill for a 5-1 Huskies lead. At 7-3, the Axewomen responded, forcing repeated layouts from Bell and Hoskins before setter Charlie Dean (Mississauga, ON) assisted middle Erica Fisher (Middle Stewiacke, NS). Huskies ace leader Bruhm tipped a dump through the blocks to put herself on serve 10-6, but Dean unexpectedly spiked it on the second hit to end Bruhm's opportunity. Axewomen middle Wesley-Ann Bailey (Ottawa, ON) and Huskies left side Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) traded up the middle kills, contrasting a series of points with fast-paced finesse plays at the net. The Axewomen tightened the difference to 11-13, but Lougheed found Bell on the right side, who slammed the ball into the Axewomen bench off of libero Becky Dorsey (Toronto, ON). A shoestring dig from Axewomen outside hitter Eve Collombin (Victoria, BC), and a precise three-quarter court kill from outside hitter Jenna Lake (Conception Bay South, NL) gave the Axewomen the point. At 21-14, Lougheed climbed the ladder, surprising Lake, and took a moment to celebrate with the Huskies bench. Huskies service specialist Paige Deering (Calgary, AB) subbed in and closed out the set with an ace, followed by fake set from Lougheed that landed in the middle of six Axewomen.

Second set began as the first, with a left-to-right kill from Bell. But Bailey's second block on Bell ended an electric second point, featuring a rafters-high dig from Lougheed. At 7-4, another ball to the rafters led to a Dorsey dive into her own bench on the last hit that made it over the net. Unfortunately, it went directly to Lougheed who gently placed the ball into an empty Axewomen centrecourt for her second kill, forcing an axewomen timeout. A fake set by Dean that was rejected by the Huskies frontcourt was met with frustration from the Axewomen coaching staff, who substituted in setter Katie MacLean (Humboldt, SK), trailing 10-5. But a thunderous block on Bailey from Huskies middle Madison Hann forced a 13-5 timeout. Mid-set, Bailey and Bell began a dynamic series at the net. Unable to overpower Bailey, Bell was forced to mix in chip shots and riskier cross-court attempts. A nifty reverse set from Dean to Axewomen middle Alexia Lemay-Evans (Azilda, ON) stopped the Huskies from running away with the frame, but the Axewomen found themselves trailing 20-9 following Bell's crosscourt kill past Bailey's left arm and follow up ace. While the Huskies ran into a couple of errors, Lougheed and Mikanovich connected to give Huskies set point. While a couple of kills from Axewomen outside hitter Sophie Edgar (Wolfville, NS) were a positive for the Axewomen, the Huskies closed out the set, putting them one away from a statement victory.

However, the Axewomen took their first lead of the game in the third set, With Bailey punching in an assist from Dean. Meanwhile, Dorsey digs leading to transition opportunities. The Axewomen's defensive pressure at the net forced a series of Huskies errors, and a Lemay-Evans ace extended the Axewomen's lead to 9-4, precipitating a Huskies timeout. Bell brought the energy and dug deflections, first beyond the basketball baseline, and then into the stands. Her energy radiated among the Huskies, who continued to scramble. A substitution of Deering and her frozen-ball float serve was unsuccessful, as the Axewomen ground out the point, and soon the Huskies were forced into another timeout down 15-8. The Huskies were reprieved when Lougheed accidentally bumped to unexpecting Axewomen. After back-to-back extended rallies chock-full of blocks that went the way of the Huskies, the Axewomen took timeout with their lead trimmed to 18-14. Fisher's right side success continued, and Lake looked unstoppable on the left, mixing in power and finesse. After closing out their first victorious frame, the Homburg Centre echoed with cries from Bailey, Dorsey, and a vocal travelling contingent of Axewomen supporters.

The fourth set began with relentless pressure from the Huskies, who earned and then converted on a series of free balls. The Huskies substituted left side Brea De Souza (Oakville, ON) on a single successful point, working with Lougheed for her first kill of the game. The Axewomen replied with a block from Fisher, before Fisher and Dean combined to block Mikanovich. But a revenge block from Piatukhova and a Bruhm ace to put the Huskies back on top 9-8 were enough for veteran Axewomen head coach Michelle Wood, who called timeout. Dorsey followed up with an insane layout dig on a fake set from Lougheed, to extend the rally until Dean's fake set trickery found hardwood. Mikanovich needed no such subtlety on her next kill that put her on serve for an extended Huskies rally. But horizontal Dorsey stopped the bleeding with a layout dime to Dean who caught Bell flat footed, to the delight of the Axewomen supporters. A Lake liftoff was met at ground level by Bell for another dig, and the Huskies had eight set points. With Dean on serve, the Axewomen began their last stand, and held back the attacking Huskies, who called timeout at 24-20 after several errors. The Bailey-Bell matchup went the way of the Axewomen for two more points. This time, the Huskies went up the middle, and a pipe from Mikanovich off the blocks for the win was met with relief from the Huskies faithful.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Emilia Mikanovich finishes off the fourth set with the kill for an epic four set win over the Axewomen! pic.twitter.com/0HPWVQ9S0s

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 13, 2024

Player-of-the-game Olivia Bell led the Huskies with 20 kills, six assists, seven digs, two aces, and infinite energy. Emilia Mikanovich led the Huskies with 15 digs to pair with 11 kills. As expected, Taylor Lougheed was the Huskies assist leader with 29, but also provided 12 digs, two kills, and a solo block.

The Axewomen were led by 12 kills from Alexia Lemay-Evans, while Erica Fisher and Wesley-Ann Bailey combined for 18 kills and six blocks. Charlotte Dean had 30 Assists, 13 digs, and a series of pressure serves facing match point for the Axewomen, while Rebecca Dorsey had 14 digs and 5 assists.

The Huskies and Axewomen will rematch on Sunday in Wolfville at 2:00 pm AST. The Huskies will be back at home January 26th when they host the Moncton Aigles Bleues. GET TICKETS

Recap by Dr. Casper Macaulay / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics