First-set comeback helps Dal top Memorial 3-0

(Halifax N.S.) – The Dalhousie Tigers used the momentum of a hard-fought first set to sweep the Memorial Sea-Hawks 3-0 in AUS conference play (26-24, 25-18, 25-14) on Friday night at the Dalplex.

Courtney Baker (Bridgewater, NS) led the Tigers attack with 12 kills and 13 total points, while outside hitter Jill Snow led all players with 15 kills and 15.5 total points.

Memorial got off to a hot start in the first set, and led 9-4 early on, thanks to Snow, who had seven kills on 14 total attacks.

Dalhousie stayed patient however, tying the game at 15 and eventually taking a 19-16 lead, courtesy of a few nice rallies and key digs.

Memorial fought back to take leads of 22-21 and 24-23, but were unable to finish the set off due to a few costly service errors.

Dalhousie would come back with three unanswered points, and eventually won the first set 26-24 off a kill from outside hitter Mieke DuMont (Kamloops, BC).

Libero Marisa Mota (Kitchener, ON) was the catalyst during the Dalhousie comeback, finishing with 15 digs in the set.

The Tigers would not trail for the rest of the matchup, utilizing a well-balanced attack to win the second set 25-18 and third set 25-14.

Baker stood out yet again in the second set, with five kills, while DuMont added four.

Middle hitter Victoria Haworth (Waverley, NS) added six kills over the final two sets, and was named the Subway Player of the Game for Dalhousie, while Snow was acknowledged for her performance as Memorial's best player.

With the win, Dalhousie moves to 2-0 while Memorial falls to 1-1.

Both teams are back in action tomorrow.

Dalhousie takes on Moncton at 1 p.m. at Dalplex, while Memorial will battle Saint Mary's at the Homburg Centre.

By: Mike Still, Dalhousie Athletics