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Huskies defeat REDS in straight sets, force decisive game three of AUS Semifinal
Posted: Feb 23, 2025

Huskies defeat REDS in straight sets, force decisive game three of AUS Semifinal

Tickets Photos Video Results Box Score
Game Leaders
UNB
K: Heather Benko - 11
B: 3 Players (#4, #10, #11) - 1
D: Jenna Adams - 8
SA: 3 Players (#1, #4, #11) - 1
Saint Mary's
K: Breanna Golding - 12
B: 2 Players (#2, #8) - 3
D: Emilia Mikanovich - 7
SA: 3 Players (#2, #10, #17) - 4
Team Stats
Full stats

HALIFAX, NS – The Saint Mary's Huskies swept the UNB REDS in straight sets (25-15, 25-15, 25-20) in game two of the Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball semifinal on Sunday night at the Homburg Centre in Halifax.

The Huskies came out strong in a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive. Outstanding play from left side hitters Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) and Sydney Fader (Dartmouth, NS) helped the Huskies open up a lead, before middle Anna Liniewski (Burnaby, BC) finished off the set with a kill, as the Huskies took the opener 25-15.

The second set saw the Huskies continue their strong play, especially on the service line, as Sydney Fader hit a service ace to open up a 9-3 lead. Several points later, Emilia Mikanovich took over serving duties and fired up three straight aces to grow the lead to 17-4.

UNB cut into the deficit, led by outside hitter Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC), who had six kills in the second set alone. With the Saint Mary's lead cut to 22-14, the team took a timeout and responded accordingly, as Mikanovich scored another kill to win the second set 25-15.

The third set was more of the same – the Huskies service game was too much to stop as setter Grace Blaskovits served up three straight aces to grow a 5-1 lead.

But the REDS battled back behind the service of middle Danielle Krzywonos (Valley, NS), scoring four straight points to tie the score at 9-9. The rest of the set was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team leading by more than two points, until Huskies outside hitter Breanna Golding (Pickering, ON) scored back-to-back kills to push the lead to 21-18.  Moments later, another Golding kill brought up match point, where AUS Most Valuable Player Emilia Mikanovich finished it off with the kill, as the Huskies took the third set 25-20, sweeping the REDS in straight sets.

The Huskies put up a season high 15 service aces as a team, with Emilia Mikanovich, Sydney Fader and Grace Blaskovits each serving up four aces. Breanna Golding was named Player of the Match, leading all players with 13 points and 12 kills, while Mikanovich added 11 points and Blaskovits dished out a match-high 23 assists.

The REDS were led by outside hitter Heather Benko who had 11 kills and five digs, while Talia Nixon dished out 21 assists.

The Huskies were led by an outstanding performance by left side Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) who was honoured as the AUS Most Valuable Player prior to the game, and went on to deliver a match-high 27 points on 24 kills, two aces, and a block, adding 18 digs and two assists. Left side Sydney Fader chipped in 12 kills and setter Grace Blaskovits dished out 41 assists and added two aces.

With the win, the Huskies tied the best-of-three AUS semifinal series at one game a piece, setting up the decisive game three, which will be played on Monday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. at the Homburg Centre. GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics