Axewomen extend winning streak to 5 with sweep of UNB

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Senior outside hitter Sarah Ross led the Axewomen in a 3-0 sweep of the visiting UNB Varsity Reds in the second of a two-game matchup weekend versus the V-Reds.

Ross posted a game-high 12 kills and 0.333 hitting efficiency in Acadia's 25-22, 25-13 and 25-20 set wins.

The Axewomen and Varsity Reds opened the match with a tight first set. Not until two consecutive attack errors at 12-12, did the Axewomen pull away.

Ross, Lauryn Renzella and Regan Herrington teamed up with an assortment of kills to give Acadia a 20-14 lead that quickly turned into a 25-22 win despite the V-reds mounting a comeback.

A more focused Axewomen squad knocked the door down on a nine-point run from an 8-7 lead in the second game. Ahead 16-8, Acadia pulled out to a 2-0 match lead on a dominant 25-13 game victory.

The third set was not close in the opening minutes. The Axewomen pulled out to a 14-7 lead, but the Varsity Reds didn't give up, posting well-timed kills and service aces to close the Acadia lead to 19-17.

In the end, Axewoman Lauren Renzella delivered the final blow with a kill that gave Acadia a third set 25-20 victory and 3-0 match win.

The Axewomen looked sharper and focused in the second match against the visiting Varsity Reds. Sarah Ross attributed the win to a more serious attitude.

"I think yesterday we played as individuals, and after the match, we had a meeting and we established the fact that we were not happy with the win. It didn't feel like a win. We came back today, grounded and took the win today," pointed out Ross when asked what was the difference today from last night's match against the Varsity Reds.

First-year outside hitter Taylor Collumbin was named the Subway Player of the Game for the Axewomen. Collumbin had seven kills and a hitting percentage of 0.417 along with one solo block. V-Red Melika Belliveau was named UNB's player of the game with a team-high eight kills.

Other notable performances included Hannah Helm's three solo blocks, Lauren Renzella's 8 kills and UNB's Maggie McLenahan with 14 digs.

The Varsity Reds remain winless with a 0-11 record, while the Axewomen extend their winning streak to five and improve to 7-4 and sit second in the AUS standings. Acadia faces Moncton at home next Sunday, while UNB travels to Memorial for a grueling three-game weekend beginning next Friday night.