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Huskies come back to defeat REDS in four sets, win game one of AUS Finals series
Posted: Mar 01, 2026

Huskies come back to defeat REDS in four sets, win game one of AUS Finals series

Video Box Score
Game Leaders
Saint Mary's
K: Esther Wildeboer - 21
B: Alena Piatukhova - 6
D: Emilia Mikanovich - 14
SA: 2 Players (#10, #15) - 1
UNB
K: Sonya Nielsen - 10
B: Danielle Krzywonos - 3
D: Jenna Adams - 19
SA: 2 Players (#3, #8) - 4
Team Stats
Full stats

FREDERICTON, N.B. - The Saint Mary's Huskies bounced back after dropping the first set to dominate the next three, taking a four set win (22-25, 28-26, 25-19, 25-14) over the top seed UNB REDS in game one of the best-of-three Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball championship finals series on Sunday night at the Currie Centre in Fredericton, N.B.

The REDS got off to a great start in front of an energetic home crowd, opening up a quick 4-0 lead. Saint Mary's battled back, with back-to-back kills from Syree Tucker cutting the UNB lead to 9-5. A service run from the REDS Sonya Nielsen pushed the advantage to 16-8. But the Huskies responded with a service run from Jordin Parsons, and great play from right side Esther Wildeboer and setter Taylor Lougheed, cutting the deficit to 18-16. That two point lead remained steady as the REDS held on to a slim advantage, and a kill from Heather Benko gave them a 25-23 first set win.

The Huskies were led by Esther Wildboer's five first set kills, while Taylor Lougheed dished out nine assists, adding a kill and a solo block. The REDS were paced by four points each from Lydia Green and Sonya Nielsen.

The hosts continued their strong play into the second set, with three quick kills from Sonya Nielsen, and a couple aces from Heather Benko putting them ahead 14-5. Saint Mary's found some momentum on the blocks, with Alena Piatukhova, Jordin Parsons and Emilia Mikanovich scoring a trio of points to cut the lead to 14-8. The Huskies continued to battle, facing a 23-17 deficit, but scored seven of the next eight points, with an ace from Grace Blaskovits, followed by a block from Piatukhova tying the match at 24-24. Esther Wildeboer continued her outstanding play, scoring two late kills to give the Huskies a come-from-behind 28-26 second set victory.

Alena Piatukhova was huge in the second set, scoring 6.5 points on four kills and 2.5 blocks, while Esther Wildeboer chipped in another six kills, and Grace Blaskovits came off the bench to dish out 12 assists and add a service ace. The REDS were led by six points from Sonya Nielsen, while Talia Nixon dished out 10 assists, adding two kills and an ace in the second set.

With the match tied at one set a piece, the Huskies came out strong again, with a couple kills from Piatukhova and continued great distribution from Blaskovits opening up a quick 6-3 advantage. But the top seed REDS kept battling, with a kill and ace from Isla Olesen giving the hosts a 11-10 lead. Undeterred, SMU quickly regained control, with a couple kills from Esther Wildeboer and a big block from Jordin Parsons putting the visitors ahead 20-16. A Sonya Nielsen ace cut the lead to 20-18, but back-to-back kills from Syree Tucker and Mikanovich gave the Huskies a 22-18 advantage. Huskies All-Rookie selection Jordin Parsons finished off the REDS with a kill and an ace, setting up Wildeboer's 17th kill of the night as Saint Mary's won the third set 25-19 to take a two sets to one lead.

Esther Wildeboer continued her outstanding play in the third set, scoring 7.5 points on six kills and two blocks, while Jordin Parsons chipped in 4.5 points on 2.5 blocks, an ace and a kill. The REDS were led by four points from Sonya Nielsen, while Danielle Krzywonos chipped in three points in the third set.

The Huskies took advantage of their momentum to open up a quick 12-6 lead in the fourth set, with continued excellent play from Wildeboer and Piatukhova. The Huskies kept their foot on the gas, with kills from Wildeboer and Mikanovich extending the advantage to 19-8. The REDS made a late run to cut the lead to 24-14, but their serve attempt sailed long, giving the Huskies match point and a 25-14 game on victory.

Huskies right side Esther Wildeboer was named Boston Pizza Player of the Game, scoring a match-high 24.0 points on 21 kills, 3.0 blocks and seven digs. Alena Piatukhova chipped in 16.0 points on 11 kills, 5.0 blocks and added four assists, pacing the Huskies dominance at the net as they outblocked the REDS 15-9 on the night. Setters Grace Blaskovits and Taylor Lougheed ran an effective offence, recording 36 and 12 assists respectively.

The REDS were led in defeat by Sonya Nielsen's 15.0 points on 10 kills, four aces and a block, while setter Talia Nixon dished out 30 assists, adding six kills and an ace.

The series now shifts to Halifax, where the Huskies will host game two of the best-of-three series on Tuesday, March 3, at 7 p.m. at the Homburg Centre, with an opportunity to win their second straight AUS Championship in front of the home crowd. GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Fran Harris / UNB REDS Athletics