REDS serve up straight set win over Huskies

HALIFAX, NS – UNB outside hitter Heather Benko scored seven of the REDS 17 service aces, leading them to a straight sets win (25-21, 25-23, 25-17) over the Saint Mary’s Huskies in Atlantic University Sport women’s volleyball action on Friday night at the Homburg Centre in Halifax, NS.

First set: 25-21 REDS

The Huskies started strong with a block and kill from Alena Piatukhova putting Saint Mary’s ahead 4-1 early. But the REDS battled back with aces from Danielle Krzywonos and Lydia Green tying it at 6-6. Saint Mary’s retook the lead off of back-to-back kills from Emilia Mikanovich, but a trio of aces from REDS outside hitter Sonya Nielsen, followed by back-to-back kills from Talia Nixon and Heather Benko put UNB ahead 13-9. The two teams continued to trade points, with Saint Mary’s scoring four straight points, capped off by a big block from Alena Piatukhova, cutting the REDS lead to 19-18. But UNB closed the set strong, with some quality service from Haylee Ellis and several Huskies service errors helped the REDS clinch a 25-21 first set win.

The REDS were led by three aces and a kill from Sonya Nielsen, and three kills and an ace from Lydia Green in the first set, while the Huskies were led by three kills and two blocks from Alena Piatukhova.

Second set: 25-23 REDS

The REDS momentum carried into the second set, with a pair of Isla Olesen kills opening up a 4-1 lead. Another Nielsen ace extend the lead to 7-3, before a few kills from Emilia Mikanovich and an ace from Jordin Parsons brought the Huskies within a point, 12-11. But the REDS held onto their lead, with an ace from Lydia Green, followed by kills from Olesen and Nielsen growing their advantage to 17-12. The Huskies cut into the lead with several wins from Emilia Mikanovich and Esther Wildeboer, but an ace from Heather Benko put UNB ahead 22-19, before kills from Green and Nielsen finished off the set, giving the REDS a 25-23 win.

The REDS were led by four kills and another ace from Sonya Nielsen, while Lydia Green added three kills and an ace of her own. Saint Mary’s was led by five kills and a block from Emilia Mikanovich and three kills from Alena Piatukhova.

Third set: 25-17 REDS

The third set was the Heather Benko show, as she scored service aces on six of seven straight points, opening up a 8-2 lead. Saint Mary’s cut into the lead with an Emilia Mikanovich kills making it 12-6, but UNB was in control, with kills from Nielsen, Nixon and Olesen extending the lead to 16-6. Saint Mary’s continued to hang around, with a Jordin Parsons block cutting the REDS lead to 20-14, but Taven Stevenson scored three straight kills, bringing the REDS to match point, before an Isla Olesen kill finished off the set, giving the REDS a straight set (25-21, 25-23, 25-17) victory.

The REDS were led by Player of the Match Heather Benko, who scored a match-high 14.5 points on seven service aces – including six in the third set alone – and added six kills, seven digs and two blocks. Lydia Green and Isla Olesen each chipped in nine kills, while Talia Nixon dished out a match-high 29 assists.

The Huskies were led in defeat by Emilia Mikanovich‘s 11 points (10 kills, two blocks, eight digs) and Alena Piatuhkova’s 10 points (six kills, five blocks, one ace), while Taylor Lougheed dished out 13 assists.

The REDS improve to 4-0 on the season, while the Huskies drop to 4-1. The two teams will face off again on Saturday, Nov. 8 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