Huskies defeat Tigers in four sets

HALIFAX, NS – Saint Mary's outside hitter Emilia Mikanovich recorded a match-high 19 kills, powering the Huskies to a four set win over the Dalhousie Tigers (27-29, 25-16, 25-21, 25-23) in Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball action on Friday night at the Homburg Centre in Halifax, NS.

First set: 29-27 Tigers

The battle between the top two teams in the conference was a back-and-forth affair, especially in the firsts set, as neither team led by more than five points in the marathon set. The Tigers opened up a 10-5 lead off of service from middle Ella Hornby (Calgary, AB) and two kills from outside hitter Annik Boldon (Fredericton, NB). But the Huskies stormed back, with a service ace from middle Anna Liniewski (Burnaby, BC) cutting the lead to 10-8, before eventually tying the Tigers at 13-13. Dalhousie kept a slight lead, until Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) took over service with the Huskies trailing 19-17, and went on a six point run, giving the Huskies a 22-19 advantage late in the set. But the Tigers once again took control, with a kill from Ella Hornby tying the set at 25-25 and forcing extra points. The two teams continued to go back-and-forth before two straight kills from Annick Boldon gave the Tigers a 28-27 advantage, and middle Kasandra Trenke (Calgary, AB) delivered the set-point service ace, giving the Tigers a 29-27 first set win.

Huskies outside hitter Sydney Fader (Dartmouth, NS) led all players with six kills in the opening set, while the Tigers were paced by Annik Boldon and Melissa Hatfield (Beaverlodge, AB) with five kills a piece.

Second set: 25-16 Huskies

The Huskies took control early in the second set, with a six point service run from setter Grace Blaskovits (Kelowna, BC) and dominant play at the net from middle Alena Piatukhova (Minsk, Belarus) helping the hosts open up a 7-2 lead. An ace from Tigers middle Grace Calnan (Cole Harbour, NS) cut the Huskies lead to 11-8, but Saint Mary's outside hitter Breanna Golding (Pickering, ON) came off the bench to make a huge impact in the second set, with two kills before going on a six point service run to open up a 20-12 lead. The Huskies didn't look back, as Emilia Mikanovich delivered three late kills, including set point, and Saint Mary's took the second set 25-16 to tie the Tigers at one set a piece.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Emilia Mikanovich finishes off the second set with a kill as the Huskies take it 25-16 to tie it the Tigers one-set a piece! pic.twitter.com/ZpGiqrrXzQ

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 8, 2025

Third set: 25-21 Huskies

The tight match-up continued into the pivotal third set, as the two teams exchanged points early. The Tigers opened up a 12-9 lead off a service run from Kasandra Trenke, including two aces. But the Huskies responded with a four-point run from Grace Blaskovits, with an ace and back-to-back kills from Breanna Golding and Sydney Fader giving Saint Mary's a 18-17 advantage. The Huskies continued that momentum, with a kill from Alena Piatukhova pushing the lead to 22-19, before a kill from Emilia Mikanovich ended it, giving the Huskies a 25-21 third set win, and putting them ahead two sets to one.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Emilia Mikanovich finishes off the third set as the Huskies win it 25-21 and take a 2-1 lead over the Tigers! pic.twitter.com/yIMccNIfmW

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 8, 2025

Fourth set: 25-23 Huskies

The decisive fourth set was another tight one, with neither team leading by more than three points the entire set. A Breanna Golding service ace gave the Huskies a 7-4 lead, but Dalhousie responded with a Grace Calnan service run, including an ace to give them a 11-9 edge. A kill from Anna Liniewski tied the set at 15-15, before back-to-back kills from Golding and Sydney Fader gave the Huskies a 20-18 advantage. But once again, the Tigers had the answer, tying the set at 21-21 and taking a lead off a service ace from Melissa Hatfield. But the Huskies closed strong, tying it at 22-22 before a Breanna Golding kill gave them the advantage. The Tigers tied it up again, but Alena Piatukhova scored a kill before Breanna Golding finished it in style, delivering a service ace to give the Huskies the four set victory.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Alena Piatukhova with a kill and Breanna Golding ends it with an ace as the Huskies take the fourth set 25-23 and defeat the Tigers in four (27-29, 25-16, 25-21, 25-23). pic.twitter.com/IEx4eG7YHg

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 8, 2025

Huskies left side Emilia Mikanovich was named Player of the Match, recording a match-high 22.5 points on 19 kills, 16 digs, three blocks and one service ace. Sydney Fader chipped in 15 kills and 14 digs for the Huskies, while Breanna Golding added 11 kills, two aces, and three blocks, and Grace Blaskovits dished out a match-high 43 assists.

The Tigers were led by Ella Hornby with 10 kills, three blocks and an ace, while Kasandra Trenke chipped in 9 kills, six blocks and four aces. Setter Quinn McAleer orchestrated the Tigers offence with 31 assists.

The Huskies win improves their record to 13-5 on the campaign, just two points behind the league-leading Tigers. Saint Mary's will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 14, visiting the Acadia Axewomen (7-10) at 7 p.m. in Wolfville, NS, before finishing the season on home court as they host the Axewomen on Saturday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m.

The Tigers loss dropped their record to 14-4 on the season. Dalhousie will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 14, hosting the Memorial Sea-Hawks (10-6) at 7 p.m. at the Dalplex.

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