Axewomen sweep Reds in Fredericton to move into top spot in AUS

FREDERICTON - The UNB REDS and Acadia Axewomen went to five sets for the second consecutive game and for the second day in a row, the Axewomen emerged with a 3-2 victory in Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball action at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center. 

The visitors won with scores of 25-20, 16-25, 25-14, 21-25, and 15-8. 

"I think we played well, it was just errors at the wrong time that hurt us," said REDS' setter Jenna Adams (Truro, NS). She had a game-high 26 digs in the losing cause. 

The teams began by trading points during the early moments of the opening set. 

Tied 14-14, the Axewomen then went on a 4-0 run to establish an 18-14 lead and prompt a UNB timeout. 

Acadia added five more points following the timeout, going up 23-14. 

The REDS responded with a 4-0 run of their own, bringing a timeout call from the Acadia bench. 

UNB's momentum broken, the visitors went on to a 25-20 first set victory. 

In the second, the teams settled into a bit of a phase where points were traded, but Acadia broke the pattern with a big block by Erica Fisher (Middle Stewiacke, NS) to make the score 6-4. Down 12-10, the REDS would rally with a 6-0 rally to go ahead 15-12 and prompt another Acadia timeout. 

UNB held the Axewomen to just four more points in the set, taking the second 25-16 and tying the match at a set apiece. 

Acadia scored the first eight points of the third set and quickly regained the momentum, winning the set 25-14. 

Back-and-forth play ensued in the fourth set until a Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC) kill, which tied the score 17-17, seemed to spark the REDS. 

UNB pushed ahead 22-18 on their way to evening the match with a 25-21 set victory. 

In the deciding set, Acadia raced out to a 5-0 lead and held an 8-2 advantage at the switch. 

UNB was never able to gain momentum and Acadia won 15-8, taking the match 3-2. 

Jenna Lake (Conception Bay South, NL) led the Axewomen with 13 kills and 25 digs while Alexia Lemay-Evans (Azilda, ON) added 11 kills and a dozen digs. She was named the Tim Horton's Player of the Game. 

"We're a super close-knit team, there are people coming in and out, doing what they're supposed to be doing, and in these five set matches, that's what gets us to the end," said Lemay-Evans. 

"It is important," she said of the win. "But we're trying to win in March. It's November. It's a long game, it's a marathon. We're happy with the win today, but we want to win in March, that's our goal." 

Adams' 26 dig performance came less than 24 hours after a 35 dig night on Friday. 

"My role on the team is to dig every ball. I don't hit it, I don't set it so I just get in the mindset that every ball is mine until it's not," she said. "I take pride in taking a lot of court so our hitters can get ready to hit. 

With Saturday's win, Acadia is now 5-and-2, good for a share of first place in the AUS standings. 

UNB is 4-and-3 and in a tie for third place. 

Up next for the REDS, a trip to Moncton to face les Aigles Bleues, next Saturday at 2 p.m. 

The Axewomen return home and will host Memorial on Friday. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. 

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics 

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics