(HALIFAX, N.S.) – The third-seeded UNB Varsity Reds defeated the sixth-seeded Acadia Axewomen Friday night by a score of 3-1 in the second quarter-final match of the 2014 Subway AUS women's volleyball championship at the Dalplex.

Set scores were 25-19, 18-25, 25-18 and 25-19.

Out to an enormous 8-1 lead, the V-reds held on tight as the young inexperienced Axewomen worked back to a one point deficit - 13-12. UNB pulled ahead 19-16 on a service ace and several Acadia block errors to eventually grab the first set 25-19.

The Axewomen rebounded in the second set by pulling out to an early 9-3 lead and held onto a 22-14 lead in the closing minutes of the set to tie the match at one a peice following a 28-18 victory.

Trailing by as much as 9 points in the third set, Acadia fought back to a 21-18 defici, tbut eventually lost to the Varsity Reds 25-18 who relied on Jacqueline Sebetovsk for several big plays including a kill and service ace in the closing points.

Tied at 11 in the eventual match winning fourth set, UNB pulled out to a 19-16 lead on the back of great defensive play by the V-Reds' Jacqueline Sebetovsk and Jodie McGill. The V-Reds ended the Axewomen's season on a  Vanja Mitrovic kill to take the fourth set 25-19.

With the win, the Varsity-Reds move on to play in Saturday evening's second semifinal at 7pm, where they will take on the second place Saint Mary's Huskies.

Subway Player of the Game Paige Nelmes, named a second team AUS all-star Thursday night, recorded a team-high ten digs.

Vanja Mitrovic had 19.5 points, including 15 kills, while Celina Abba, also a second team all-star, added 12.5 points for the winners. Abba also recorded a game-high three service aces.

Marissa Chin was leading scorer for the Acadia, with 15 points. Teammate Meg Rector finished with 12 points and Kristen Bolduc added 11.5. Hillary Monette had a game-high 16 digs in the loss.

The winners of Saturday's semifinal contests will play each other in the AUS championship final on Sunday, February 16, to determine the 2014 AUS women's volleyball champions.

All matches of the championship tournament can be seen live via webcast at www.AUStv.ca.

2014 championship schedule/results:

Friday, Feb. 14
Quarter-final #1: Moncton 3, Memorial 2
Quarter-final #2: UNB 3 vs. Acadia 1

Saturday, Feb. 15
Semifinal #1: Dalhousie (1st) vs. Moncton, 4:30 p.m.
Semifinal #2: Saint Mary's (2nd) vs. UNB, 7 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 16
Championship Game: Semifinal winners, 2 p.m.

The AUS champion will advance to the 2014 CIS women's volleyball championship, Feb. 28 - March 2, 2014, hosted by the University of Regina.