Axewomen end first half on three-game win streak

MONCTON, N.B. — Acadia defeated Moncton 3-0 in AUS women's volleyball action Saturday at CEPS.

The Axewomen claimed the first set 25-17 after a series of momentum swings. Moncton took an early lead with a service ace from Evette Petherick, but Acadia responded with a string of kills, including two from Alexia Lemay-Evans, assisted by Katie MacLean, to level the score at 10-10. Jenna Lake's service ace highlighted a five-point run that gave Acadia a 16-12 edge. The set ended with Lake delivering the decisive kill.

Acadia dominated the second set, winning 25-14. Lake opened the scoring with a service ace, and Lemay-Evans and MacLean added to the Axewomen's early lead. MacLean recorded two service aces, while Moncton committed several attack and service errors, allowing Acadia to pull ahead. Despite a late push from Moncton, including a service ace by Angèle Turenne, Acadia closed the set with Leah Weatherhead's service ace.

The third set was tightly contested, with Moncton jumping out to a 3-0 lead thanks to two service aces by Turenne. Acadia tied the game at 4-4 with a block by Allison Van Zeumeren, but Moncton regained momentum with Hannah Lytwyn's service aces, going up 9-4. Acadia rallied late, with Lake's kills bringing the score to 21-21. Ella Hickey played a key role in the closing stages as the Axewomen sealed a 25-22 win.

Lake led Acadia with 16 points, including 12 kills on a .478 hitting percentage, 11 digs and two solo blocks. Lemay-Evans added eight points with seven kills and nine digs in two sets. Van Zeumeren contributed seven kills on a .500 hitting percentage for nine points.

Turenne led Moncton with four service aces, while Cassidy Martin posted 14 assists with a perfect setting efficiency. Petherick tallied eight points with six kills and one ace. Tori Casey recorded four kills, four digs and a solo block.

Acadia improves to 6-4 on the season, while Moncton drops to 1-9.