HALIFAX, NS – UNB outside hitter Lydia Green scored 13 kills, leading the REDS to a straight set win (25-23, 25-21, 29-27) over the Saint Mary’s Huskies in Atlantic University Sport women’s volleyball action on Saturday night at the Homburg Centre in Halifax, NS.
First set: 25-23 REDS
The REDS opened up an early 5-1 lead off back-to-back service aces from Talia Nixon. The REDS superb serving continued with an ace from Danielle Krzywonos, but the Huskies battled back with kills from Alena Piatukhova and Emilia Mikanovich to cut the lead to 10-7. The REDS continued to grow their lead with kills from Sonya Nielsen and Heather Benko, putting them ahead 20-12, but Saint Mary’s had a late comeback, with a pair of Piatukhova kills, followed by back-to-back Jordin Parsons aces, bringing the Huskies within a point, 24-23. But UNB was able to hold on to the lead and win the first set 25-23.
Sonya Nielsen, Heather Benko and Danielle Krzywonos each scored four points in the opening set for the REDS, while the Huskies were led by 4.5 points from Alena Piatukhova and four points from Jordin Parsons.
Second set: 25-21 REDS
The REDS momentum carried into the second set, with a Lydia Green service run putting them ahead 9-4. Jordin Parsons snapped the run with a pair of kills, followed by a service ace to tie the set at 11-11. But UNB responded with kills from Nielsen and Krzywonos. Late in the set, an Emilia Mikanovich kill gave the Huskies a 18-17 lead, but back-to-back REDS blocks helped them pull ahead 21-19. Saint Mary’s cut the deficit to 22-21, but the REDS finished strong with a Green kill and Benko ace, before a Huskies error gave them the second set 25-21.
Third set: 29-27 REDS
Jordin Parsons continued her outstanding play with an early ace and block to put the Huskies ahead 2-1. But the REDS stormed back, with five straight points, including a trio of kills from Lydia Green, taking an 8-6 lead. The back-and-forth set continued with neither team leading by more than two points. Saint Mary’s forced a tie break on several occasions, but Lydia Green scored three of the final four points to deliver a 29-27 marathon third set win, and the REDS swept the Huskies in straight sets.
The REDS were led by Player of the Match Lydia Green with 13 kills and six digs. Heather Benko added 10.5 points on six kills, four aces and 16 digs, while Talia Nixon dished out a match-high 30 assists, and added two aces and five blocks.
The Huskies were led by 18.0 points from Emilia Mikanovich (15 kills, three blocks, 16 digs), and 10.5 points from first year Jordin Parsons (three kills, six aces, two blocks), while Taylor Lougheed dished out 24 assists.
The REDS improve to 5-0 on the season, while the Huskies drop to 3-2. Both teams will be in action Friday, Nov. 14, with the Huskies visiting the Dalhousie Tigers (2-4), while the REDS host the Memorial Sea-Hawks (2-2).
Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary’s Huskies Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / Saint Mary’s Huskies Athletics