he Dalhousie Tigers remain undefeated on the season after going the distance in a thrilling match against UNB that had the crowd at the Dalplex on their feet.
The Tigers and the Varsity Reds wasted no time on Friday night, battling from the first serve. Jonathan MacDonald opened up the game with a thunderous service ace that put the Tigers up, but neither team could muster up a rally and there were countless lead changes through the first set. UNB rattled off seven straight points at the end of the set and won 25-18.
In the second set, UNB fought their way to a 19-17 lead, but two straight Tiger kills by Matthew Donovan and Bryan Duqette forced a UNB timeout. Dal used their momentum to take the second set 25-22.
After splitting the third and fourth sets, the stage was set for a nailbiter of a fifth set.
The teams traded points until Dal gained a 11-9 lead. From there, Eivind Anderson's served went out of bounds, and Connor Maessen answered with an ace and the Tigers went up 13-9. A kill by Kristen O'Brien kill put the Tigers up 14-10 and within one point of the win.
Bryan Duquette and Connor Maessen came up huge with a block on Craig Toonders to finish the game, and the Tigers remain undefeated on the season, while the Varsity Reds drop to 4-2.
Julio Fernandez had 20 kills, 11 digs and 24 points to lead the Varsity Reds in a losing effort.
Kristen O'Brien led the charge for the undefeated Tigers, registering 16 kills and 12 digs on the night.
The teams will face off again tomorrow at the Dalplex at 2:00pm.