Tigers defeat Varsity Reds 3-1

(FREDERICTON, NB) The Dalhousie Tigers handed the UNB Varsity Reds a 3-1 loss on Sunday afternoon, sweeping a two-match weekend series. 

The Tigers won with scores of 22-25, 25-9, 25-13 and 25-16. 

The V-Reds opened the match building an early 10-4 lead, and took a 16-13 advantage into the first set's technical time-out. 

But, the Tigers scored the next three points to tie the it 16-16. 

UNB staged another late surge to take the opening set 25-22. 

"I think we took all the energy that we've been building in practice and we came out swinging, we came out covering, we did everything that we wanted to do," said first year Varsity Reds setter Paige Lehto (North Vancouver, BC). "We blocked way better than before, we figured out our game plan and we came out and executed from start to finish, which is what we've been struggling with." 

The Tigers dominated the second, scoring a 25-9 win. 

Strong serving by Victoria Haworth (Waverley, NS) led Dal on a 9-0 run that put the set out of reach for UNB. Haworth was named the Subway Player of the Match. 

"We came out slow," she said of the Tigers' first set loss. "Our warm-up wasn't the best, we weren't in our headspace. They changed up their line-up from yesterday, so we weren't expecting some of the players that were playing and it kind of threw us for a loop." 

Haworth feels taking the second set was crucial for the Tigers. 

"Our coach kind of gave it to us there, in between sets," she said. "But, as a team we came together and said this is enough, and gave it to them." 

Dalhousie's domination continued in the third set, as the Tigers went on a 5-0 run and a pair of 4-0 runs on route to a 25-13 win. 

UNB seemed to bounce back early in the fourth, establishing a 3-0 lead, but the experienced Tigers were too much. Dal won the fourth set 25-16, taking the match 3-1. 

Catherine Callaghan (Halifax, NS) led the Tigers with 22 digs. 

Julie Moore (Halifax, NS) registered a match-high 16 kills for Dal. 

Lehto paced the Varsity Reds with 25 serve assists, while Melika Belliveau (Shediac, NB) had 14 digs. 

The win solidifies Dal's hold on first place in the Atlantic University Sport standings. They're now 13-1. 

The loss drops UNB's record to 0-16. 

"We know they're hungry for a win," said Haworth. "We know they want to win, especially against a top team like us, they're hungry, so we didn't take anything for granted." 

Up next for Dalhousie, a three-match home stand with the Memorial Sea-Hawks, beginning Friday. 

The Varsity Reds play host to Moncton, on Wednesday, in a Bell Let's Talk contest. First serve is at 7:00pm, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.