WOLFVILLE, N.S. - The UNB Reds defeated the Acadia Axewomen 3-2 (22-25, 18-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-9) on three in a row set win after being down 2-0 early in the match this Saturday at the Stu Aberdeen Court.
It was a game of two halves in Wolfville. The Axewomen took the first set 25-22 featuring some great performances from middle blocker Erica Fisher who finished with 8 kills 4 aces and 3 blocks, and setter/outside hitter Sydney Zakutney who finished with 9 kills 11 assists, and 13 digs.
The second set was also won by Acadia who looked solid behind rookie and eventual Acadia Player of the Game winner Charlotte (Charlie) Dean. She outplayed her inexperience putting up 26 assists and adding 7 digs. The Axewomen would win the set 25-18.
All seemed to be going Acadia's way, however, an opportunistic UNB team was able to jump on some sloppy play by the Axewomen and they would take a close third set 25-23. Subway Player of the Game winner outside hitter Kristen Burns finished with 16 kills and 8 digs.
With great defense and capitalizing on their opportunities offensively, the Reds squeaked out a 25-21 win to extend the match to a fifth and final game. Down 20-19, an Acadia block error tied the game at 20. Two attack errors and a set error by the Axewomen, allowed UNB to push out to a 23-20 lead that was eventually wrapped up with kills by Emma Burns and teammate Kristen Burns. Libero Katelyn Chapman was all over the court for the Reds, collecting 20 digs on route to a UNB set win 25-21.
UNB pulled out to an early 3- 1 lead that was extended to a 9-6 advantage. The Reds would not give up a lead in the final frame and would capture match win on a 15-9 final set win.
The story of the game was inconsistency on the part of the Axewomen, who looked brilliant at times, but were too often on the end of unforced errors or free ball passes.
The Reds for their part looked much stronger than they did a day ago, handing Acadia their first loss this season.
The Axewomen are in Halifax next weekend, taking part in the AUS League Tournament at Dalhousie, where they will look to get back to their winning ways against Saint Mary's on Friday at 3:00 pm. The Reds will take on Memorial on Friday at 5:00 pm.
Contributed by Severin Golla, Acadia Athletics Communications