Huskies drop Axewomen in straight sets to regain first place in AUS standings

WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The Saint Mary's Huskies Volleyball Team defeated the Acadia Axewomen 3–0 (25–23, 25–15, 25–15) in a rare Wednesday night volleyball match at the Stu Aberdeen Court in Wolfville.

The first set was a close contest, with emergency libero replacement Eve Collombin (Victoria, BC) showing her talents in a position she is not accustomed to. Despite her valiant efforts, the Huskies were too much to handle as they took a close 25–23 opening set win. The Axewoman Wesley-Ann Bailey (Ottawa, ON) posted 8.5 points and 6 total blocks in an effort that won her Acadia's player of the game award. 

With the second set tied at 7-7, Olivia Bell (LaHave, NS) posted a kill followed by a service ace to give the Huskies a 9-7 lead that would hold for the remainder of the set. Saint Mary's pushed out to a commanding 18-11 advantage.

Setter Jakobie Friesen (Barrie, ON) was a big part of the Huskies' 25-15 win, adding 2 points to go along with her game-high 32 assists. Megan Bruhm (Hubley, NS) was the beneficiary of a number of those sets, recording 9 kills, along with 16 digs.

Set three saw the Huskies take full control of the game on both offense and defense by gaining a 25-15 set win and 3-0 match victory.

Nada Hamdy (Cairo, Egypt) showed both her service skill as well as her attacking prowess with 16 points and 4 service aces. Hamdy's effort was rewarded with the Subway Player of the Game award for the Saint Mary's Huskies.

Huskie Megan Bruhm posted a match-high 12 kills, while teammate Megan Bruhm recorded a game-high 16 digs on the defensive end. 

Acadia's Taylor Collombin, who had 20+ kills per match this weekend, posted 5 kills. Jenna Lake led the defense with eight digs.

With this win, the Huskies take over top spot in the AUS standings, and clinch a first-round bye in the AUS Playoffs.

Saint Mary's, who improve to 10-4, travel to Moncton Aigles Bleus on Sunday, while the Axewomen drop to 9-4 and will look to get back on track with two matches against UNB Reds this weekend starting on Saturday in Fredericton.

Provided by Severin Golla, Acadia Athletics Communications