Axewomen punch ticket to AUS final with win over UNB

WOLFVILLE – For the first time in program history, the Acadia women's volleyball program will go to the U SPORTS championship after advancing to the AUS final with a 3-1 victory over the UNB REDS on Monday night in Wolfville.

Acadia opened the best-of-three series with a 3-1 victory at home before being swept Saturday in Fredericton to force the third and deciding match.

The home squad took the opening two sets before UNB bounced back with a 25-19 third set victory. UNB led by as much as five in the fourth set before Acadia bounced back to tie the set 10-10. Trading points for much of the set, the Axewomen found themselves down 24-21 before battling back to tie it 24-24 and eventually taking it 28-26.

"I think I've been emotional going into this for the past week as I contemplated why I came back and what it was worth," said fifth-year libero and team captain Rebecca Dorsey. "I told the girls today before the game that I came back because I want to win an AUS championship, but also because I needed more time with them to fight for an AUS championship and I got that. We stayed alive today, so that is still our goal. Getting to nationals is a huge thing and exciting, but a white AUS championship hat is what we want so there's still lots of work to do."

Alexia Lemay-Evans (Azilda, ON) led Acadia with 20 kills and 24.5 points in the match, while player of the match Jenna Lake finished with 16 kills.

UNB's player of the match was Talia Dixon (Fredericton, NB) who finished with 14 kills to lead the REDS offence.

Charlotte Dean (Mississauga, ON) quarterbacked the Acadia offence with 42 assists, trailed narrowly by UNB's Catherine Burns (Fredericton, NB) with 35.

Dorsey had the biggest night defensively for the Axewomen, finishing with 31 digs, while the REDS were more evenly balanced the category, yet still led by second-year libero Jenna Adams (Truro, NS) with 18.

At the net Wesley-Ann Bailey (Ottawa, ON) had an 11-point match, finishing with four solo blocks and four block assists. Isla Olesen (Calgary, AB) had a team-high four blocks for the REDS.

Saint Mary's won their semifinal series against the Dalhousie Tigers 2-1, sweeping Monday's match 3-0.

The Huskies and Axewomen are expected to meet late this week to open the AUS championship series in Wolfville. Game details will be announced on Tuesday.