Tigers open season with 3-0 win over REDS

Written by Well Mayes

[Halifax, NS] – The Dalhousie Tigers beat the UNB REDS in straight sets (25-13, 25-22, 25-22) on Friday night at the Dalplex.

Both squads were even early on, with the score at the midway point of the first set standing at 12-10 to the Tigers despite some excellent play from REDS outside hitter Sonya Nielsen (Morrin, AB). However, Dal would go on a 13-2 run to take the set, with third-year setter Kirsty Longino (Calgary, AB) serving for the last five of those points.

The second set of this match went back and forth, with a total of six lead changes. Either side could have pulled away at any point throughout, with UNB going on a on four-point run to retake the lead before Dalhousie did the same on a five-point streak later in the set.

Ultimately, the Tigers wrested the lead from UNB at 20-19, as a trio of vital kills from Talia Vydykhan (Hammonds Plains, NS) ended the set and put the Tigers firmly in front.

Now up two sets to zero, the Tigers looked to put the match to bed. However, a multitude of attack errors on both sides of the net meant that the set was still very much up for grabs. One player who really raised her level in this third set was UNB's third year outside Heather Benko, as she had two kills to close the score to a one-point game. However, the end of this set was much like the one before it as Dal were the better team when it mattered most, winning the last three points to secure the victory.

Tonight's player of the game for UNB was libero Jenna Adams (Truro, NS) with a remarkable 21 digs. Meanwhile, Dalhousie's recipient was fifth-year middle Grace Calnan (Dartmouth, NS), who tallied 7 kills and a team-leading 3 blocks in her effort tonight.

Tonight's teams will be back on the court at Dalplex tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 PM ADT to close out the week.