REDS defeat Huskies in five set thriller

FREDERICTON, NB - Another five-set fury was needed in the UNB REDS 3-2 set victory over the Saint Mary's Huskies in Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball action Saturday afternoon at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

Catherine Barns (Fredericton, NB) led the way for the REDS, adding 33 assists and earning the Tim Horton's Player of the Game honours. Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC), Talia Nixon (Fredericton, NB), and Lydia Green (Bedford, NS) each had nine kills in the game for UNB. Benko added season-high nine services aces as well. 

Jenna Adams (Truro, NS) also had a memorable night for the REDS, reaching a career milestone, surpassing 500 career digs in the final set with her 26th dig.

The Huskies' Megan Bruhm (Hubley, NS) was at the top of the game sheet with 16 kills, followed by teammate Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, BEL) with 13.

The REDS started the game off strong with a 4-point run to open the first set, concluded by an ace from Isla Olesen (Calgary, AB).

Despite the early lead for the REDS, the Huskies countered late in the set. Alena Piatukhova (Minsk, BEL) landed a kill shot, which was barely missed by REDS Adams in a diving effort. The point would start a 7-point run late in the set, finishing with a score of 21-11.

The set closed with a kill by Bruhm, giving the Huskies the first-set victory, 25-12.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Megan Bruhm with the kill and the Huskies take the first set 25-12 over the REDS! pic.twitter.com/Ru14xMqLri

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 20, 2024

The Huskies pushed ahead, starting the second set with a 4-point lead, ending with a strong kill from Madison Hann (Conquerall Mills, NS).

The REDS responded with a service ace from Benko, painting the boundary line, narrowing the gap to 4-3 for the Huskies.

Benko's multiple points and a crucial kill from Talia Nixon propelled the REDS to a 17-14 lead.

However, SMU countered with consecutive kills from Olivia Bell (Lahave, NS) followed by a block, levelling the score at 20-20.

Benko helped the REDS to pull ahead again, with two kills re-establishing the lead at 23-21, followed by Lydia Green's powerful shot earning a 26-24 set victory for the REDS.

In a fiercely contested third set between the REDS and the Huskies, the lead exchanged hands early as the teams stayed locked in an 8-8 tie.

Another ace from Benko and a powerful block by Green and Elizabeth Roemer (Pitt Meadows, BC), propelled UNB to an 11-8 advantage.

Back-to-back aces from Benko started a 7-point run, and UNB securing 13 of the next 15 points.

The REDS clinched the third set 25-12, sealing the win with a Huskies' service error to close out the match.

UNB opened the fourth set on a 4-point run, establishing a 5-2 lead. However, the Huskies responded with an impressive 9-point run, led by a powerful kill from Bruhm, helping her team ahead 14-9.

Benko halted the Huskies' momentum with a significant kill, sparking a REDS 6-point run, levelling the score 14-14.

The teams found themselves deadlocked again at 20-20 in the tense final moments of the fourth set. Despite a strong effort, a decisive kill by Bruhm secured a 25-21 victory for the Huskies, forcing a fifth-deciding set.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Emilia Mikanovich finishes off the fourth set with the Huskies winning 25-21 and forcing a decisive fifth set! pic.twitter.com/qTzLQsGlVi

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 20, 2024

The REDS seized a 5-1 lead in the fifth set, courtesy of a precision kill by Olesen.

Roemer's strategic kill extended the REDS lead to 12-7, and Benko's three consecutive service aces secured the fifth set win, clinching the overall 3-2 set victory for the REDS.

Up next, the REDS take on the Dalhousie Tigers in a two-game series at the CURRIE CENTER, starting it off on Friday at 6:00pm at UNB's Richard J. CURRIE CENTER.

Meanwhile, the Huskies face Moncton in Halifax on Friday at 7:00pm.