The Sea-Hawks and the Varsity Reds took the court on Sunday for their last game of the weekend triple header. The Sea-Hawks improved to 7-6 on Saturday night as they took the second header against the Varsity Reds by a score of 3-0. However, the scoreboard might not truly reflect how contested the game was, with the Varsity Reds enjoying many chances to take at least a set.
The Sea-Hawks managed to grab their third win of the weekend in another five-set thriller against the Varsity Reds (25-17, 25-21, 18-25, 16-25, 15-9) and improved to 8-6 to provisionally take third place in the AUS standings.
The Sea-Hawks came out strong with the intention of not allowing the Varsity Reds to feel comfortable on the defensive end of the court. Their strategy proved effective as the Sea-Hawks took an early lead of 13-7 early in the first set. The Sea-Hawks were able to capitalize on a weak Varsity Reds defense, and maintained a healthy lead throughout the play which saw them take the set with a score of 25-17.
The Varsity Reds were not to be outdone by their negative start to the game, and proved to be in contention as both team exchanged points throughout most of the second set. The scoreboard reflected a tie 15-15 at the midpoint of the second set. Despite their positive start, The Sea-Hawks were able to capitalize in each of the Varsity Reds' errors and finished the second set strong with a score of 25-21.
With two sets to none the game was starting to look as a replay of the action seen on Saturday, but as the Varsity Reds had proved throughout the weekend the Sea-Hawks would have to dig deep for the win.
Many spectators will be surprised that the Varsity Reds are a winless team, as they looked incredibly strong through the third set of the game. The Varsity Reds came off with a different attitude and took an early lead (6-3) that they would not relinquish for the remainder of the set. The Sea-Hawks tried to hold on but saw their defensive efforts thwarted by an inspired offense that saw them lose the set (25-18).
The Varsity Reds strong offensive trend continued into the start of the fourth set with a score of 7-1. The Reds were able to keep their offensive momentum going and punished the Sea-Hawks defensive frailty with a score of 14-5. It looked as if the game was headed for another fifth set thriller, and the Varsity Reds confirmed those suspicions by taking the fourth set with a score of 25-16, and highlighting once more the Sea-Hawks' difficulties to close the game.
However, the Sea-Hawks would not let the game get away from them and started the fifth and definitive set leading on the early on with a score of 8-3. The Sea-Hawks held on and used their offensive momentum to close out the game with a final score of 15-9.
Kier Fey had 12 kills for the Sea-Hawks, while Emma Hackett had 10. Alison Poynter had 36 assists for the Sea-Hawks. 5th year player Catherine Ducey played her last home game for the Sea-Hawks.
Kieren Hume had 18 kills for the Varsity Reds, while Megan Kuciak contributed with 13 kills.
The Sea-Hawks are resting next weekend and will return to action on February 2nd when they square off against the Dalhousie Tigers away from home.