REDS come from behind to defeat Huskies in five sets

HALIFAX, NS – UNB outside hitter Heather Benko recorded a match-high 16 kills, as the REDS came from behind to defeat the Saint Mary's Huskies in five sets (22-25, 10-25, 25-16, 25-20, 15-10) in Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball action on Saturday afternoon at the Homburg Centre in Halifax, NS.

First set: 25-22 Huskies

The first set saw the REDS open up an early 5-3 lead with a kill from Lydia Green (Bedford, NS), but the Huskies responded with a four-point service run from right side Sydney Fader (Dartmouth, NS), taking a 7-5 lead. The two teams exchanged points for much of the set, with neither team ever leading by more than five points. With the Huskies ahead 22-19, REDS outside hitter Heather Benko delivered back-to-back kills to cut the lead to 22-21, but Saint Mary's finished strong with kills from Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) and Alena Piatukhova (Minsk, Belarus), taking the first set 25-22. Alena Piatukhova led the Huskies with four kills and two blocks in the opening set, while REDS outside hitter Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC) recorded six kills for her side.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Emilia Mikanovich and Alena Piatukhova close out the first set as the Huskies take it 25-22! pic.twitter.com/6z52PVExJs

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 1, 2025

Second set: 25-10 Huskies

The Huskies appeared in control to begin the second set, with a seven-point service run from Grace Blaskovits, including two service aces, opening up a 7-0 advantage. Alena Piatukhova continued her fantastic play, delivering a service ace as the Huskies lead grew to 11-3. Saint Mary's dominance continued as Emilia Mikanovich went on another seven-point service run, including an ace, pushing the lead to 20-5. The REDS were able to cut into the lead with kills from Benko, Danielle Krzywonos (Valley, NS) and Isla Olesen (Calgary, AB), but Saint Mary's was unphased, finishing off the second set with a kill from Syree Tucker (Kitchener, ON), followed by a set-point service ace from Madison Hann (Conqueral Mills, NS), giving the Huskies a 25-10 second set win. The Huskies serving hit another level in the second set, as they recorded five service aces.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Syree Tucker with the kill and Madison Hann with the ace as the Huskies finish off the second set 25-10! pic.twitter.com/y3lJethA3K

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 1, 2025

Third set: 25-16 REDS

The third set began exactly how the second set ended, with a Madison Hann service ace. But the REDS responded with an ace from Danielle Krzywonos, opening up an early 3-1 lead. The REDS appeared motivated to deny the Huskies a second straight sweep, as kills from Lydia Green and Talia Nixon (Fredericton, NB) helped them open up a 15-11 lead. The REDS continued their solid play, with Krzywonos and Green each serving up an ace, and the visitors forced a fourth set with a 25-16 third set win.

Fourth set: 25-20 REDS

UNB's momentum continued into the fourth set, with Talia Nixon scoring an ace to start things off. The Huskies took the lead on back-to-back service aces from setter Grace Blaskovits (Kelowna, BC), but the REDS had the answers, opening up a 12-8 lead off a service run from Isla Olesen (Calgary, AB). Back-to-back kills from Olesen and Benko extend the REDS lead to 18-12. The Huskies attempted a late comeback, with kills from Breanna Golding (Pickering, ON), Sydney Fader and Emilia Mikanovich, followed by another Blaskovits ace cutting the REDS lead to 23-21, but the REDS were able to close it out and force a decisive fifth set with a 25-20 win.

Fifth set: 15-10 REDS

In the fifth set, the Huskies opened up a quick 3-0 lead thanks in part to great blocking from Alena Piatukhova and Sydney Fader. The REDS once again cut into the lead, but Emilia Mikanovich delivered back-to-back kills to push the advantage to 7-3. But the REDS came storming back, largely thanks to great play from Heather Benko and Talia Nixon – Benko recorded two straight kills, before Nixon went on a four point service run, as the REDS took a 9-8 lead. The Huskies scored two straight to retake the lead 10-9, but a Krzywonos kill tied it at 10-10, giving service to Benko, and she did not relinquish, as the REDS scored six straight points, with a kill from Lydia Green ending the match and giving the visitors the five-set victory.

Heather Benko was named Player of the Match, recording 19.5 points on 16 kills, three blocks and one ace, and adding 16 digs. Lydia Green chipped in 12 points on nine kills and four blocks, and Talia Nixon dished out a match-high 31 assists, adding two aces and four blocks.

The Huskies were led by left side Emilia Mikanovich who recorded a match-high 17 points on 15 kills, two service aces and added 24 digs. Alena Piatukhova chipped in 1.5 points on eight kills, four blocks and an ace, while Grace Blaskovits led the Huskies with 25 assists and a match-high five service aces.

The REDS win snaps a three-game losing streak, improving their record to 7-10 on the season. UNB will be on home court next Friday, Feb. 7 and Saturday, Feb. 8, hosting the Memorial Sea-Hawks (10-6) at the Currie Centre in Fredericton, NB.

The Huskies loss drops their record to 12-5 on the season. Saint Mary's will host the first place Dalhousie Tigers (14-3) on Friday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Homburg Centre. GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics