Axewomen grab 3-1 win over host UNB

(FREDERICTON, NB) The visiting Acadia Axewomen beat the UNB Varsity Reds 3-1 Saturday night, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22 and 25-16. 

Fifth-year setter Sarah Ross (Toronto, ON) had 10 kills and 20 digs to lead the Axewomen. 

Kailey Evans(St. Andrews, MB) added 13 digs and was named the Subway Player of the Match. 

"I think that we played well as a unit after the first set, and that's what we've been really working on in practice lately," said Evans. "Today we really came together and played as a unit." 

Kristen Burns (Mississauga, ON) led the Varsity Reds, recording 10 kills and 12 digs, while Kelsey Bond (Bridgewater, NS) had a match-high 21 digs. 

The V-Reds started well, racing out to a 9-4 lead before Acadia coach Michelle Wood called time-out. The move did not work, and UNB surged to a 15-8 lead on route to the 25-23 set victory. 

The second set was a back-and-forth affair until Acadia went on a late 3-0 run to establish a 23-19 lead. The Axewomen took the second set 25-20. 

UNB built a 15-10 lead in the third set before the Axewomen rallied to take the set 25-22. 

The Varsity Reds looked to be bouncing back in the fourth, building leads of 6-1 and 11-7 before Acadia closed the gap. A 6-0 run by the Axewomen gave them a 21-14 lead and they never looked back, winning 25-16. 

"We still played good volleyball, we just made some errors on our side," said third-year UNB hitter Megan Kuciak (Ottawa, ON). "We missed a bunch of serves, we let up our momentum." 

Kuciak says, despite the loss, she does see progress. 

"We got to the technical in the second and third sets with the lead, and that's big for us. We just let up, and if we turn that around for tomorrow, we're fine." 

With the win, Acadia improves its record to 1-2 while UNB falls to 0-2. 

The two teams meet again, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center, on Sunday. First serve is scheduled for 1:00pm. 

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics 

PHOTOS BY: Kyle Lamkin/for UNB Athletic