Reds take Tigers 3-0

Source: Andy Campbell, UNB Athletics

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds beat the Dalhousie Tigers in straight sets on Friday night.

UNB won 25-21, 25-19 and 25-19.

Connor McConnell (Hanwell, NB) and Eduardo Luchese (Bento Goncalves, Brazil) each had 12 kills and seven digs to lead the Reds.

Brad Merryweather (New Maryland, NB) registered 27 serve assists for UNB.

"We came out here with high hopes. We came out firing," said McConnell. "After last weekend, we knew what we had to work on and we worked on specific things during practice this week, and it turned out."

The Reds jumped on the Tigers early and were relentless in their attack.

UNB led 16-12 at the technical time-out of the first set.

Luchese punched the set-winning point, after a brief Dal push, to give the Reds a 25-21 victory.

The second set followed a similar script, with the Reds leading by the same 16-12 count at the technical time-out.

UNB would push that lead to 18-14, before winning 25-19.

In the third set, UNB was up 16-9 at the technical time-out.

When the Reds extended the lead to 18-10, Tigers head coach Dan Ota called time-out, but the move failed to turn the tide.

UNB continued their roll, winning 25-19 to score the 3-0 triumph.

"Our defence really picked up this game," said McConnell. "I think our attack efficiency was way better, with fewer unforced errors."

Graham Schmuland (Calgary, AB) led the Tigers with nine kills and seven digs, while Quinton Dowling (Waterloo, ON) added seven digs.

"We have to be confident in our ability," said Schmuland. "I'm pretty sure every guy on this team knows we can outplay these guys. We're bigger than them. We just have to bring confidence tomorrow."

With the win, the Reds improve to 5-and-10.

The Tigers are 5-and-10 too.

The two teams conclude their RSEQ regular season schedule on Saturday, when they meet again, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center. Game time is 2:00pm.

"We need to re-set and have the same mindset tomorrow," said Reds head coach Dan McMorran.