DAL TOPS UNB 3-2 AND ADVANCES TO AUS FINAL AGAINST SMU

The second-ranked Dalhousie Tigers women's volleyball team held on to win 3-2 over the third-ranked UNB Varsity Reds in front of close to 1,000 spectators at the Richard J. CURRIE CENTER.  The Tigers now advance to the championship final game against the Saint Mary's Huskies.

Both UNB and Dalhousie came out strong creating great rallies, huge kills and impressive digs. The first set went to Dalhousie, winning 25-16.

In the second set, the momentum shifted to UNB who took it 25-21. The V-Reds kept that momentum going in the third set, winning 25-22.

Dalhousie answered in the fourth by serving UNB a convincing 25-9 loss and forcing a fifth deciding set.

UNB did not let the fourth set phase them and came out strong in the fifth. Although, both teams fought for every point Dalhousie took the set 15-12, winning the game 3 sets to 2.

Dalhousie's Mieke Dumont (an AUS All-Rookie Team member from Kamloops, BC) tallied an impressive 20 kills and 18 digs. UNB's libero Paige Nelmes (Poole, UK) dug up 29 balls.

Subway Player of the Game for Dalhousie was Anna Dunn-Suen (an AUS First Team All-Star from Halifax, NS) with 23 kills and 17 digs. UNB's Subway Player of the Game was Vanja Mitrovic (an AUS First Team All-Star from Fredericton, NB) with 14 kills.

"It's a tough way to go out but going to a fifth set shows how hard we played and how much we wanted to win," Mitrovic said. "I am just proud of everyone's effort, we did the best we could and at the end of the day that's all you can really ask for."

Dalhousie head coach Rick Scott, who was named AUS Coach of the Year, gave credit to both teams.

"It was a very hard-fought battle. We felt fortunate to come out on top. UNB played great and they have a great young team. I am really proud of our girls," Scott said.

Scott says he knows tomorrow's AUS championship final against SMU will be tough, but he's confident in his team.

"It's going to be a tough game. They are a great team. We've got to be ready to go after them, and we will be."

Dalhousie faces off against SMU in the AUS championship Final on Sunday, February 16, at 2pm.

Sam Lagacy for UNB Sports Information.