Axewomen defeat Huskies in straight sets

The Acadia Axewomen defeated the Saint Mary’s Huskies in three straight sets (34-32, 25-20. 26-24) in Atlantic University Sport women’s volleyball action on Wednesday night at the Homburg Centre in Halifax, N.S.

The first set was an epic battle between the Nova Scotian rivals, with Saint Mary’s opening up an early 11-5 lead, before Acadia ripped off nine straight points off of service from Katie MacLean to take a 14-11 advantage.

After a service run from Emilia Mikanovich put the Huskies ahead 20-18, the two teams weren’t separated by more than two points for the rest of the marathon set. Acadia kept a late advantage, but Saint Mary’s were able to tie it up each time, until at 32-32, when a Jenna Guy kill, followed by a Mia Lemay-Evans serve gave the Axewomen a 34-32 first set win.

The next two sets were also tight, with the second set tied at 18-18, before a service run from Brianna Bourque, followed by a Jenna Lake kill gave the Axewomen a 25-20 win.

The third set was similar, with Saint Mary’s tying it up 23-23, but Acadia took control late and an Alexia Lemay-Evans kills gave them a 26-24 win, and three set sweep victory.

Acadia was led by Jenna Lake’s 16.5 points (12 kills, three aces, 1.5 blocks, eight digs), while Alexia Lemay-Evans chipped in 12.5 points (nine kills, 3.5 blocks, one assists, 13 digs) and Katie MacLean dished out a match-high 32 assists.

Saint Mary’s were led by Esther Wildeboer‘s match-high 17.0 points (14 kills, 3.0 blocks, 15 digs) and Emilia Mikanovich‘s 13.0 points (13 kills, two assists, 14 digs), while Grace Blaskovits led the team with 26 assists.

The Axewomen win keeps their playoff hopes alive, improving their record to 7-11 on the campaign. Acadia will be back on home court to finish off the regular season next weekend, hosting the Memorial Sea-Hawks (8-8) on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. in Wolfville, N.S.

The Huskies loss drops their record to 8-10 on the season. The Huskies will next travel to take on the Moncton Aigles Bleues (2-15) on Sunday, Feb. 8 in Moncton, before returning home to finish the regular season against the Dalhousie Tigers (9-8) on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Homburg Centre. GET TICKETS

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