Photo Courtesy of Alex Maxwell
Posted: Nov 20, 2015
(Halifax, NS) The Dalhousie Tigers lost their first match of the season's second AUS-RSEQ Interlock event on Friday afternoon to the McGill Martlets at the Dalplex. McGill who came off a 3-0 win over Saint Mary's earlier on Friday morning downed the Tigers 3-1 (25-18, 25-20, 21-25, 28-26).
The opening set featured some long and entertaining rallies with both teams unable to grab any momentum. Dalhousie managed to take their first lead of the game at 9-8 but it was short lived as they trailed for the remainder of the set.
McGill went on an 8-1 run to stretch the lead to 18-10, off the strength of the float serve that the Tigers struggled to pass. The Martlets cruised to a 25-18 opening set win.
In the second set the Tigers once again only held the lead for one point. Courtney Baker put a huge block up giving the Tigers an 11-10 lead. McGill was able to regain the lead and take the set 25-20 with the strong attack of Emilie Matte de Grasse.
The Martlets were in the drivers seat holding a 2-0 set lead.
After one point in the third set Matte de Grasse went down awkwardly and had to be helped off the court. She would not return.
The loss of Matte de Grasse allowed the Tigers to have more control over the net. Dalhousie was able to jump out to an 18-12 lead and hold on for a 25-21 set victory.
With all the momentum on the Tigers side it seemed like they would have no problem forcing a decisive fifth and final set. After opening up a 17-10 lead the Tigers got too comfortable allowing McGill back into the game.
Dalhousie had four set points but could not close out the Redmen. Courntey Baker missed an attack long for the Tigers resulting in a tie at 26. McGill was able to get their first lead of the set at 27-26 after another Tigers error.
McGill somehow pulled off the huge comeback win taking the fourth set 28-26 and the game 3-1.
Catherine Amyot had a game high 15 kills for McGill while Mieke DuMont and Anna Dunn-Suen both recorded 12 kills for Dalhousie.
Dalhousie's Marisa Mota had a game high 26 digs.
The Martlets are now 2-0 over the weekend and will play Acadia Saturday morning at 11 am. The Tigers drop their first match of the weekend and will have a chance to redeem themselves tonight at 7pm against Sherbrooke.