Tigers sweep REDS with 3-0 win

RECAP BY: Evan Richtsfeld/UNB Athletics

(FREDERICTON, NB) The Dalhousie Tigers defeated the UNB REDS in straight sets Saturday afternoon to sweep their weekend Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball series at UNB's Richard. J. CURRIE CENTER.

The Tigers won with scores of 25-18, 25-19, and 25-23.

Dal's Lucy Glen-Carter (Toronto, ON) was yet again the star for the Tigers, registering a game-high 15 kills and was named the Subway Player of the Game for the second consecutive game.

"We fought really hard, and it was nice to get the weekend sweep," said Glen-Carter. "I can't do it without these girls, our passing was amazing today, but I can't do it without my teammates today."

Both teams exchanged points in the opening set coming out to a 12-12 start.

The Tigers were able to go on a 5-0 run to jump ahead 17-12..

Dal would go on to win eight of the next 14 points closing out the first set on a kill from Glen-Carter to give the Tigers the first set win 25-18

The second set started like the first, with both teams exchanging points as UNB jumped out to a 6-5 lead on back-to-back kills and a service ace from Sonya Neilson (Delia, AB).

Dalhousie was able to use a 5-1 run, thanks to some strong serving from Brett Boldon (Fredericton, NB) to leap ahead 15-10, but the REDS battled back, bringing the score to 16-14.

The REDS continued their momentum, tying the game 18-18. But the Tigers were able to close out the set thanks to a 7-1 run that was capped off by back-to-back kills from Glen-Carter to win the set 25-19.

Carrying the momentum from the second set win, the Tigers would jump out to a 6-2 lead to start the third.

The REDS would not quit and were able to battle back to take a 10-8 lead over the Tigers.

It looked like the REDS were going to close out the third set, up 23-21, but the Tigers were able to claw back and go on a 4-0 run to take the third 25-23 and close out the game 3-0.

"I think we felt more together out there today which you could definitely see," said REDS head coach Richard Schick. "We struggled to find some consistency, but it was better today, and we just have to sustain it a bit more. We fought, but we just fell a bit short."

Boldon was tremendous in the match, setting up 31 assists while Ella Hornby (Calgary, AB) and Talia Vydykhan (Hammonds Plains, NS) added seven and six kills respectively. 

The REDS were led by Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC) who had nine kills and seven digs in the match while Neilson finished with seven kills.

"I'm pretty happy with my performance today," said Neilson. "I play my best when I have fun out there with my teammates."

The Tigers continue to sit atop the AUS standings with a 10-and-1 record after this weekend's games. Meanwhile, UNB falls to 4-and-7 and sits fourth in the standings.

The REDS will travel to Newfoundland next weekend for a three-game series against the Memorial Sea-Hawks, while the Tigers will face Acadia on Friday.

"Obviously yesterday wasn't the way we wanted to perform," said Neilson. "I thought we took steps forward into making better plays and executing, but we want to continue to get even better and work harder. We talked a lot about how our performance today was the bare minimum, so we just have to take that and go up from there."