Huskies defeat REDS 3-1 for first win of 2024-25 season

FREDERICTON, NB - The Saint Mary's Huskies defeated the REDS women's volleyball 3-1 on Friday in Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball action at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

The Huskies won 16-25, 26-24, 25-21, and 25-14.

The REDS took command of the opening set, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. Demonstrating effective communication and defensive strength, they widened their advantage to 8-3 and then 12-6. With confident serves and a strong net presence from Lydia Green (Bedford, NS), UNB closed the set 25-16.

In the second set, the teams were neck-and-neck, with the REDS trailing narrowly at 4-3. A tense exchange of points followed as Saint Mary's pushed ahead 11-9, prompting a timeout by UNB. The Huskies extended their lead to 15-10, but the REDS battled back. Despite their effort and an exchange of rallies that tied the score at 24-24, the Huskies managed to prevail, winning the set 26-24.

The third set featured another close fight, with the score locked 2-2 before the REDS claimed a slight 6-4 lead. The teams kept it close, but Saint Mary's made a late push and won 25-21.

In the fourth set, Saint Mary's took immediate control, racing to an 8-0 advantage behind a dominant serving streak by Grace Blaskovits (Kelowna, BC). The REDS struggled to counter the Huskies' relentless offense, as the gap widened to 18-6 and eventually 21-7. Saint Mary's closed out the set comfortably, 25-14, sealing their victory.

Breanna Golding (Pickering, ON) led the Huskies with nine kills and 20 digs. Blaskovits had 25 assists.

For the REDS, Jenna Adams (Truro, NS) had a game-high 28 digs while Talia Nixon (Fredericton, NB) contributed a game-high 35 assists. Green and Sonya Nielsen (Morrin, AB) each had 10 kills.

The REDS will have a chance to redeem themselves on Saturday afternoon, when they meet the Huskies again at 3:00 p.m. at the Richard J. Currie Center in Fredericton.

RECAP BY: Annabelle Jewett/for UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics