(FREDERICTON, NB) Championship season in Atlantic University Sport turns its gaze to UNB this upcoming weekend as the Varsity Reds host the AUS Women’s Volleyball Championships at the Richard. J CURRIE CENTER from February 13-15.
The festivities kick off on February 12 with the awards banquet,
where athletes and coaches will be recognized for their outstanding
performances and community involvement.
The quest for CIS starts with the Quarter-Finals on Friday at 4:30
pm, seeing the third-sixth place teams in action and will continue
with the Semi-Final round on Saturday at 4:30pm. The Final will
take place Sunday with the winner heading to the CIS Championship
tournament at the University of Toronto on February 26.
Top-ranked Dalhousie (two-time defending champions) and Saint
Mary’s both have byes and will play the winners of the
Quarter-Final round.
Here’s a closer look at the teams who qualified:
Acadia University Axewomen:
Regular season record: 3-13 (6th place in AUS)
The Axewomen picked up their first of two wins in 2015 against
Moncton at home in five tight games. Acadia picked up their last
win of the 2014-15 season against Cape Breton following a loss to
the then-first place Dalhousie Tigers. The Axewomen have lost their
last four matches coming into the tournament. Standouts this
season include senior libero Hillary Monette (New Minas, NS) who
led the conference in digs, as well as teammates Fiona McGuinty
(Ottawa, ON) and Sarah Ross (Toronto, ON) who led the Axewomen with
block assists. Ross along with Jazmin Prest (Wolfville, NS) led the
Axewomen with 134 and 133 kills respectively.
Third-year head coach Michelle Wood is optimistic about the
team’s postseason hopes after a strong finish, despite the
team’s record.
“Our level of play has significantly increased over the
course of the year. We are competitive with all of our opponents,
however our consistency is keeping us from getting results”,
pointed out Wood. “We've proved to be a very strong blocking
and defensive team and have demonstrated character and a drive to
fight and work hard in every opportunity.”
Dalhousie University Tigers:
Regular season record: 10-6 (2nd place in AUS)
The two-time defending AUS champions Dalhousie Tigers had a much
different look this season, with the departure of four of their six
starters from last year. The seven remaining veterans and a strong
group of rookies were determined to find similar success this
season.
Despite going 3-6 early on in the season, the Tigers have won
their last seven matches, securing a first-round bye at the AUS
championship. Led by Anna Dunn-Suen (Halifax, NS) and Abby Czenze
(Halifax, NS), the Tigers are poised to capture their third
straight AUS title.
Memorial University Sea-Hawks:
Regular season record: 6-10 (4th place in AUS)
Coming off a quarter-final loss in last year’s postseason
and a change in coaching staff, the Sea-Hawks came into the 2014-15
season with optimism. Under Memorial’s first ever full-time
volleyball coach, John Slauenwhite, and a good mix of rookie talent
and veteran leadership, the Sea-Hawks managed to secure a spot in
the playoffs.
The team showed promise in the pre-season, but struggled through
the gates in ranked AUS action. With only one win before the winter
break, the Sea-Hawks returned with renewed strength, earning a .500
win percentage in the second half of the season.
Saint Mary’s University
Huskies:
Regular season record: 11-5 (1st place in AUS)
Head coach Darren Russell's SMU Huskies have a first round playoff
bye coming into the tournament. On top of finishing first in the
standings, the Huskies also finished first in several team
categories, including: kills, hitting percentage, assists, service
aces, digs, total blocks, and points.
Saint Mary's are in the CIS Top 10 for hitting percentage, service
aces per set and block solos. SMU is 2-3 in the last five AUS
finals, winning titles in 2010 and 2012.
A young squad of twelve, the Huskies are led by four veterans:
Shelby Michaels (Mill Bay, BC), Laurel O'Bright (Ottawa, ON),
Shelby Charlton (Strathroy, ON), and Tessa Michaels (Mill Bay, BC).
Leftside Rachel Windhorst (Surrey, BC) and middle Erin Smith
(Moncton, NB) have been second year standouts. Rookie setter Elly
Prince (Calgary, AB) and Maddie Clark (Ottawa, ON) have also been
bright spots for the Huskies this season.
Université de Moncton Aigles
Bleues:
Regular season record: 4-12 (5th place in AUS)
Les Aigles Bleues have focused on developing and giving their
young players experience this season. They opened up their season
with five straight wins but have struggled finishing teams off
lately, often giving up leads late into sets.
Standout players for Moncton include Alyssa Turenne (LaBroquerie,
MB) who led the team in points followed by Rachelle Lemoine
(Winnipeg, MB), rookie Christelle Bertin (Beresford, NB)
Geneviève LeBlanc (Dieppe, NB) and the only fifth-year
player of the group, Véronique Carroll (Moncton, NB).
Head coach Monette Boudreau-Carrol has worked diligently to
prepare her players for the postseason. Although the season has
sometimes been difficult for the team, they’re looking to
surprise other teams this weekend.
University of New Brunswick Varsity
Reds:
Regular season record: 9-7 (3rd place in AUS).
The hosts of the tournament started the season with five new
players, all of whom have made significant contributions for the
V-Reds. One of those players, Victoria Eadle (Gallagher Ridge, NB),
has started every match and is tied for second in the league for
points per set.
Fifth-year setter Paige Paulsen (Keswick Ridge, NB) has been a
consistent performer all season. She is second in the league in
assists per set and third in the league aces per set. Fourth-year
right side Vanja Mitrovic (Fredericton, NB) has been heating up all
year. She is currently fifth in the league for points per
set.
"Our new players have infused the program with energy, passion and
competition. We also have great leadership from our older
players, and together the camaraderie and the drive of the team has
developed and made this season a real pleasure to coach –
with this group, there's a sense that anything is possible!”
- Jilliane Goulet, UNB head coach.
2015 Championship Schedule:
February 13
4:30pm - Quarter-Final 1: Moncton (5) vs Memorial (4)
7:00pm - Quarter-Final 2: Acadia (6) vs UNB (3)
February 14
4:30pm - Semi-Final 1: Winner Quarter-Final 1 vs Saint Mary's
(1)
7:00pm - Semi-Final 2: Winner Quarter-Final 2 vs Dalhousie (2)
February 15
2:00pm - Final
TICKET INFORMATION:
Daily Passes
Adult / Senior: $10.00
Students (non-UNB): $3.00
Youth (u-12) and UNB Students: FREE
WEBCASTING:
All five tournament games will be webcast live at www.AUStv.ca.
Rob Trites for UNB Sports Information
Photo attached.