Dalhousie bests UNB 3-1 in first of weekend's matchups

(FREDERICTON, N.B.) Far too many errors, both offensively and defensively, led to the Dalhousie Tigers victory over the Varsity Reds, according to head coach of the Varsity Reds, Dan McMorran.

"We were really shooting ourselves in the foot before we got going," he said.

From the very beginning the men started off rocky, losing points off hits – most of which came from Tiger Matt Donovan. Mathieu Losier and Brett LeDrew came up with a huge block and what looked like a chance to redeem themselves in the first, but the V-Reds would not be able to take away many more points and fell 12-25.

The second set showed more of last-season's Reds, keeping the score within four points for the majority of the set. A huge kill by Marc White cut the score to 19-20, and the V-Reds trailed by just one point. Losier and Craig Toonders came in with the big blocks needed, mixed with a few serves by White, a huge kill by Markiel Simpson and a couple of strong rallies, and UNB was back in the game with a 26-24 win.

The Reds took the lead in the third with a huge hit down the centre. But the V-Reds couldn't seem to keep the ball in-bounds off their own hits, and would lose the lead early on. It was back-and-forth for the entire set, keeping it close until the very end with a tie at 24, but the Tigers would pull away and finally end the set 27-25 for Dalhousie.

In the fourth set, the Reds would not be able to keep their momentum going and fell 20-25 to the Tigers.

"It was obviously a close match-up, but we've got to be able to maintain a lot more consistency to get the result we want," McMorran concluded.

Bronte James for UNB Sports Information

(FREDERICTON, N.B.) It was a tough weekend for UNB as they fell once again to the Dalhousie Tigers on Sunday afternoon (25-22, 25-20, 30-28)

The first set of Sunday's game was better than Saturday's, with the UNB keeping it a closer game, although once again being unable to take a lead.

In the second, Craig Toonders got a huge hit down the centre, giving UNB some momentum. Paired with Marc White's serves, UNB inched their way to a one-point deficit (20-19), giving them a chance. Ryan Colpitts and Toonders were a strong pair, getting the kills UNB needed, but it was no match for Tigers' Matt Donovan and Bryan Duquette who were a force up front.

"I think it was the same as yesterday – we missed a lot of serves, didn't dig some balls that we needed to dig, that credits to why we lost," said Colpitts.

Although Colpitts says they did pass well and wing better today than yesterday, they didn't do it enough to make a difference in the outcome.

UNB got their first lead of the weekend at the fourth point in the third set, but would only lead for a few points where the Tigers would quickly catch up. By the eighth point Dalhousie held the lead again.

Elliot Allison had a huge block for UNB, and they were back in the game. It was all tied up 14-14, and both teams would struggle to get a strong-hold on the other.

Donovan again played a pivotal role for the Tigers. He got a huge kill, evening the score at 23-23. Once again it was anyone's game.

An out of bounds ball by Allison was made-up for by Brett LeDrew to keep UNB in the game, but after a strong back-and-forth, racking up the points it was ended with a kill by Connor Maessen.

Bronte James for UNB Sports Information