Huskies defeat Sea-Hawks in four sets for fifth straight win

HALIFAX, NS - The Saint Mary's Huskies won their fifth straight match, defeating the Memorial Sea-Hawks in four sets (28-30, 25-21, 25-20, 25-17) in Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball action on Friday night at the Homburg Centre in Halifax.

If the first set was any indication, this week's matchups will be hard fought to the end. Saint Mary's opened up an early 6-3 lead off a block from middle Alena Piatukhova (Minsk, Belarus) but the Sea-Hawks battled back, with a kill from middle Taylar Johnston (Nokomis, SK) giving them a 10-9 lead.

Late in the set, Sea-Hawks outside hitter Courtney Hodder (Main Point, NL) gave them match point with a kill to make it 24-22, but the Huskies battled back, forcing extra points and taking a 26-25 lead. The two teams continued to battle, but back-to-back Hodder kills gave Memorial a 30-28 first set win.

The Sea-Hawks saw outstanding play in the first set from outside hitter Lydia Grawer (St. Louis, MO) who recorded six kills and two aces in the first set alone, but her production was answered by Huskies left side Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) who recorded seven kills.

The second set appeared to be shaping up to be more of the same, as the two teams were tied up at 3-3 early. But Huskies outside hitter Breanna Golding (Pickering, ON) went on a four-point service run, including two aces, to extend the lead to 7-3, and the Huskies never relinquished the lead, taking the second set 25-21 to tie the match at a set a piece.

Saint Mary's seemed energized by the second set win, opening up an early 9-4 lead with continued great play from Mikanovich and Golding, along with some great setting and contribution at the net from setter Grace Blaskovits (Kelowna, BC). The Huskies continued to build their lead, with another Golding four-point service run extending their advantage to 21-11. The Sea-Hawks clawed back, with a service run from setter Karen Greek (Mount Pearl, NL) including a pair of aces to cut the lead to 23-18, but Saint Mary's closed it out with a huge double block from Golding and middle Anna Liniewski (Burnaby, BC) giving the Huskies a 25-20 third set win.

The Huskies momentum kept rolling into the fourth set, as they opened up a quick 3-0 lead and would not trail all set. Right side Kala Bruhm (Hubley, NS) came off the bench to record a pair of aces, and Mikanovich finished off the match with a kill, as the Huskies took the fourth set 25-17, and won the match three sets to one.

The Huskies offence was led by an outstanding 17 kills from Emilia Mikanovich, who was named Player of the Match, adding eight digs on the night. Breanna Golding contributed 15.5 points including nine kills, four service aces, 14 digs and four blocks, while Sydney Fader chipped in 12.5 points on 11 kills, 12 digs and an ace. Grace Blaskovits dished out 34 assists. The Huskies were outstanding defensively after the first set loss, recording 15 total blocks and holding the Sea-Hawks to a season-low .093 hitting percentage.

The Sea-Hawks were led by their dynamic duo of outside hitters Lydia Grawer (15 kills, nine digs, four service aces) and Courtney Hodder (13 kills, three digs, five blocks), while setter Karen Greek recorded a match-high 37 assists and added two aces.

The Huskies fifth straight win improves their record to 5-2 on the campaign, while the Sea-Hawks drop to 4-3. The two teams will be back on the Homburg Centre match for a rematch tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 16, with first serve at 1 p.m. GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics