Source: Dalhousie Sports Information / Photo credit Nick Pearce
HALIFAX, N.S. – The Dalhousie Tigers defeated the Saint
Mary's Huskies Sunday afternoon by a score of 3-0 in the
championship match of the 2014 Subway AUS women's volleyball
championship at the Dalplex. Set scores were (25-10, 25-17,
25-20).
The Tigers become the first team to win back-to-back AUS women's
volleyball titles since Saint Mary's in 2006-2007. They entered the
tournament as the first seed after posting a 12-4 record in the
season, and came into the tournament on an eight game winning
streak.
The Tigers jumped out to an early 10-1 lead in the first set,
powered by strong serves from second-year setter Abby Czenze. The
Huskies battled back but couldn't contain the Tigers high-octane
offense as they went on to take the first set 25-10. Tara Gowan had
four of her eight kills in the first set to lead the Tigers.
The Huskies got up early in the second set, but the Tigers started
to put on a clinic with their pinpoint passing, setting up their
attack with precision. They never let up all set long, and Marisa
Mota watched as Briana Donnelly's serve went long as the Tigers
finished the set 25-17.
Not wanting to go away without a fight, the Huskies turned the
tables in the third set, as they jumped out to a 6-2 lead, forcing
Tigers coach Rick Scott to call his first timeout of the game. The
Huskies continued to pound the ball, but the Tigers defense
responded with several key digs. With the game tied at 11, the
Tigers rattled off three straight points to gain the 14-11
edge.
With the score at 22-20 in favour of the Tigers, the Tigers went on
a 3-0 run, capped off by a thundering block by AUS first team
all-star Desiree Nouwen and the Tigers won their second consecutive
AUS Championship.
"It was a great win. I'm very proud of the girls, and they've
worked so hard all season and got better every week. They really
put the time and work in and today they were rewarded with a big
win," says Tigers head coach Rick Scott.
Nouwen was named the 2014 Subway Women's Volleyball Championship
MVP after posting a monster game with 17 kills, 11 digs and 19.5
points to lead all scorers. Tigers libero Marisa Mota earned Subway
Player of the Game honors after anchoring the Tigers defense and
adding 11 digs.
Jane Pegg was named the Subway Player of the Game for the Huskies
as she set up the Huskies offense all game long with stellar
passing. Shelby Michaels had eight kills to lead the Huskies.
All-Star Team
Sigourney Stotts, University of Moncton Aigles Bleues
Rebecca Glancy, UNB Varsity Reds
Jane Pegg, Saint Mary's Huskies
Anastasia Callaghan, Saint Mary's Huskies
Desiree Nouwen, Dalhousie Tigers
Tara Gowan, Dalhousie Tigers
The Tigers head to the CIS Championship February 28 to March 2,
2014 at the University of Regina.