By Troy Langstaff
Day one of the AUS league tournament ended with the host Dalhousie Tigers defeating the Moncton Aigles Bleues 3-0 at the Dalplex on Friday night.
The Aigles Bleues came into the game looking for their first win of the season and jumped out to an early 5-4 lead led by a pair of kills from Joanie Arsenault (Tracadie-Sheila, NB). After a technical delay the Tigers got things under control and went on a 6-2 run to take a 13-10 lead. Sarah Dawe (Mount Pearl, NL) put a strong Moncton push to an end with a powerful cross-court kill to give the Tigers a 16-14 lead into the technical timeout.
The visiting side challenged Dalhousie on every point and were rewarded when the Tigers were called for a net violation to bring the score to 22-21 Tigers. Some miscommunication caused the Aigles Bleues to give up a couple points and a Victoria Turcot (Halifax, NS) kill gave Dalhousie the 25-22 first set victory.
Dalhousie wasted no time in the second set jumping out to an 8-2 lead off four kills by Turcot. Moncton would rally to win five of the next six points but that's all they would muster in the second set as the Tigers took over from there. Grace Calnan (Dartmouth, NS) was solid at the net providing a couple blocks with Kathleen Fougere (Calgary, AB) adding back-to-back aces. Not to be out done, Anika Gaile Almero (Brampton, ON) would sub into the game and win the second set for the Tigers 25-11 off an incredible four straight aces.
The Aigles Bleues set the tone and got out to the early lead in the third set 5-2. Dalhousie would eventually get settled and take the lead, but a service error followed by an ace by Telia Gaudet (Aldouane, NB) would bring Moncton with one, 11-10. The game would see lots of back and forth play up until the technical timeout with Dalhousie leading 16-15.
Back-to-back aces from Dawe and a couple timely kills from the Tigers would see their lead increase to 19-16. Playing in her first game since November 6th, Julie Moore (Halifax, NS) would send an emphatic kill down the left line to increase the Tigers lead to 22-17. Moncton would string together five straight points to bring the set to 24-23 but a block from Calnan would end the run and the game as Dalhousie took the third set 25-23 and the game 3-0.
Sarah Dawe was the player of the game for the Tigers with 3 aces, 12 digs, and 5 kills
Both teams are back in action tomorrow on day two of the AUS league tournament hosted by Dalhousie. Moncton will face Saint Mary's at 5pm and the Tigers will take on UNB at 7pm.