(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Varsity Reds closed out the regular season with another win over the rival Dalhousie Tigers.
UNB swept Saturday's game 3-0, with scores of 25-23, 25-20 and 25-23. It was UNB's second win over Dal in as many days.
"Hopefully, it means that we haven't hit our peak yet, we're still peaking and, hopefully, they don't," said UNB's Pascal McCarthy, who was named the Subway player of the game.
"There was definitely ups and downs, in sets, but we came back each time and finished," said McCarthy. "That's a big plus for us, because usually, when we get down a couple of points, we struggle to come back."
Dal led at the technical time-outs in all three sets, but was unable to fully control the Varsity Reds relentless attack.
"I think our passing is what took us to the next level today," said McCarthy. "We served aggressively, we served better and their passing wasn't as good, because of it."
With the win, the Varsity Reds improve to 9-and-8 this season. The Tigers are 9-and-7.
The teams will meet again, in the AUS championship series.
UNB head coach Dan McMorran likes the timing of his team's weekend sweep.
"Our last two regular season games, this weekend, were the best we've played, so far this season."
McMorran admits, Dal wasn't showing all their cards. He knows his squad needs to maintain what they were able to do this weekend.
"We also know, very well, that we're seeing this team the next two weekends in a row, maybe the next three, so it's continuing that momentum."
Dalhousie head coach Dan Ota, while disappointed with the loss, said he tinkered with his line-up.
"I wanted to try some different things with our line-up and get some different guys in there, at different positions for us. It's good for us to have some options and, for us, that's what today was."
Like McMorran, Ota says the AUS championship series will feature two very good volleyball teams.
"I think the only thing taken away from this weekend is that you've got two pretty evenly matched teams, both talented groups, they're both going to be highly motivated going into the playoffs."
The best of three Atlantic University Sport men's volleyball championship series begins Friday, at Dal, at 8:00PM.
The second match will be played at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center, on Saturday, February 27th, at 2:00PM.
If necessary, the third match will be back at Dal, on Friday, March 4th.
The winner will represent that AUS at the CIS championship tournament, at McMaster University, in Hamilton, Ontario.