Axewomen fall in straight sets to UNB

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS celebrated their first victory of the season with a straight-sets win over the Acadia Axewomen in Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball, Friday night at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.

The REDS won with scores of 26-24, 25-11, and 25-17.

The win was the first AUS victory for first-year REDS head coach Lauren Hale-Miller.

The REDS opened strong with a 5-2 lead in the first set.

Acadia quickly fought back to tie it at 6-6, keeping tensions high as the teams traded points to an 8-8 deadlock.

Sonya Nielsen (Morrin, AB) made back-to-back kills, putting the REDS up 10-8 in a tight set that was later tied 24-24.

Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC) put UNB ahead 25-24 and Taven Stevenson (Fall River, NS) sealed the set with a kill for a 26-24 victory.

The REDS brought the same energy in the second set, with Lydia Green (Bedford, NS) serving up an early 6-0 lead.

Danielle Krzywonos (Valley, NS) kept the momentum rolling, delivering a critical kill and five consecutive points to extend the REDS' advantage to 17-7.

UNB's effective communication and hard-hitting offense pushed the lead to 23-11, with Benko adding key kills.

The REDS closed out the set 25-11.

UNB came out firing in the third set, quickly building a 3-0 lead and extending it to 5-2.

Benko dominated at the net, helping the REDS hold onto a 7-5 lead before Acadia battled back to a 7-7 tie.

Nielsen and Green followed up with key kills, edging UNB ahead 10-7.

Benko's consistency helped push the REDS further, to a solid 21-15 lead.

The REDS closed out the set 25-17 to win the match.

Sophie Edgar (Wolfville, NS) led Acadia's efforts with 10 digs while Katie MacLean (Humboldt, SK) added 19 assists. 

Jenna Adams (Truro, NS) had a game-high 19 digs for the REDS while Green added 17.

Benko finished with a game-high 13 kills and Talia Nixon (Fredericton, NB) registered 42 assists.

UNB is now 1-and-4 while the Axewomen are 3-and-2.

The REDS and Axewomen face off again Saturday in a scheduled 2:00pm start.

RECAP BY: Annabelle Jewett/for UNB Athletics