(FREDERICTON, N.B.) - The defending AUS champion UNB Varsity Reds continued their hot streak at home against the visiting University of Winnipeg Wesmen with a final score of 3-1.
The set scores were 25-23, 25-21,23-25 and 25-20.
The first set got off to a good start with the Varsity Reds pulling ahead to a 6-1 lead. Heavy serving from UNB's Julio Fernandez prolonged the lead to 16-9 at the first technical time-out. Errors from UNB allowed Winnipeg to claw back to a score of 20-16.
The Wesmen continued to inch close, getting to within a single point at 24-23. A huge kill from Fernandez took the set for the V-Reds, 25-23.
In the second, both teams came out strong. Hit-for-hit play quickly racked up a 9-9 tally. Solid serving from UNB's Marc White allowed the V-Reds to briefly pull ahead 11-9. The lead did not last as Winnipeg soon tied the game at 13-13 with a kill from 6'5" outside Casey Schouten. White continued his excellent service play, which coupled with Fernandez's huge kills allowed the V-Reds to take the second set 25-21.
The third set started with more even play, both teams returning monster kills. A couple of huge blocks from middle Craig Toonders gave UNB the lead 10- 8. UNB then got into some technical trouble, conceding five consecutive points, to allow the Wesmen to take the lead 13-10. UNB tied up the set at 20-20 with some strong defensive play from White, adding to his game total of nine digs. With some big kills from Schouten, Winnipeg took the third set 25-23.
The fourth set saw a similar start, even play leading to an early score of 10-10. Blocking proved to be the difference as Toonders added to his team-high total of six to give the V-Reds a 19-17 lead. Some final spikes from middle Logan Keoghan and Fernandez sealed the deciding set 25-20.
"They were a good serving team, probably the best we've faced so far," said head coach Dan McMorran. "Down the stretch we did some things right and were able to pull it out in the fourth."
The V-Reds continue their home stand tomorrow with a rematch of tonight's game at 2 p.m. at the Richard J. Currie Centre.
"Winnipeg is gonna come out stronger tomorrow," continued McMorran. "We pulled it out tonight, but tomorrow might be a different story."
Source: UNB Sport Information