REDS beat Tigers in straight sets

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

 (FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS scored a straight sets win over the Dalhousie Tigers in RSEQ men's volleyball action, Friday night at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

The home team won with scores of 25-19, 25-17, and 25-19.

Fourth-year REDS libero Scott Mann (Winnipeg, MB) was named the Tim Horton Player of the Game.

The first half saw the teams play closely through the mid-way point.

A Finn McMorran (New Maryland, NB) kill broke an 11-11 tie and pushed UNB on to a 25-19 set win.

The second set, like the first, was close during the early points.

UNB then pulled ahead 22-16 on route to the 25-17 win and a two-sets-to-none lead.

The Tigers fought to stay in the third set but fell behind 19-14.

Eduardo Luchese (Rio Grande do Sul, BRA) hit a couple of big kills late, powering the REDS to a 25-19 set win and the 3-0 match victory.

Luchese finished with 10 kills to lead the REDS' balanced attack.

Lucas Maffia (Victoria, BC) led UNB with nine digs, while Travis Pruim (Osler, SK) and Lex Guimond (Baie Sainte-Anne, NB) each had four blocks.

Michael Donovan (London, ON) led the Tigers' offence with a game-high 16 kills, while Thomas Watchman (Edmonton, AB) had 31 assists, also a game-high.

Justin Cross (Winnipeg, MB) registered 14 digs for the Tigers.

With the win, the REDS improve to 6-7 and move into a two-way tie with Laval for second place in the RSEQ standings. The Rouge et Or do have three matches in hand on the REDS.

Dal is now 1-10. The Tigers are in fifth place.

The Tigers and REDS return to action Saturday for the second match of their weekend series.

First serve is scheduled for 3:00pm.