REDS Ready For RSEQ Season
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS team that contests 2025-2026 RSEQ men’s volleyball season is one that has been assembled with pieces from almost all corners of the country with a smattering of international flavour.
“I think it's definitely a strength that can translate to success on the court as we have people from so many different places,” said REDS’ setter Lucas Maffia, playing his fifth and final season of U SPORTS eligibility. “We have people who’ve played so many different styles of volleyball, which brings different perspectives and personalities to the game and that could be a benefit for us.”
Maffia is from Victoria. British Columbia is one of seven Canadian provinces represented on the UNB roster, along with Switzerland and Brazil.
“We’re always looking for talent from across the country and beyond,” said REDS’ head coach Dan McMorran. “With the success of our program, the academic strength of UNB, and the quality of life in Fredericton, I think student-athletes see this as a great place to play, study, and grow. It’s become a sought-after destination for top recruits.”
At the same time, 11 of the team’s 20 student-athletes are native New Brunswickers.
“It’s always nice to have local representation in the line-up, but it’s not something we specifically target in recruiting,” said Coach McMorran. “Our focus is on finding student-athletes who can add value to our program and give us the best chance to be successful. If some of those players happen to be from New Brunswick, that’s a bonus for our team and our community.”
The REDS open their 2025-2026 campaign Friday at Laval. First serve is scheduled for 7:00pm (Atlantic). The teams will meet again on Saturday for a 2:00pm start.
“I’m very excited to begin this season,” said Maffia. “With a relatively new group of guys it makes it very interesting to see how we will match-up against the best in the conference. We've been working very hard in the weight room and on court, so I feel we’ve done the work to be ready to compete right away.”
Last season, the REDS went 8-8 and finished third in the five-time RSEQ.
In the best-of-three conference semi-finals, Laval beat UNB two-games-to-one.
The REDS led the RSEQ in blocks, registering 3.02 blocks per set, and digs, registering 9.73 digs per set. Individually, Lex Guimond led the conference with 1.27 blocks per set.
While graduation has taken three key starters from last season’s roster, Coach McMorran is optimistic.
“We added five recruits to the roster, so we’re still in the process of figuring out who fits where,” he McMorran. “That said, with some key returners providing experience and leadership, and the depth we’ve added, we’re excited to see what this group can do. There’s a good mix of competitiveness and chemistry developing already.”
“I think we need to work hard on the court and in the weight room, as our competition in the RSEQ is very mature in age compared to other programs in Canada,” said Maffia. “We also need to work on communication so that when it comes to game time everyone is on the same page and very comfortable playing alongside one another, and trust the process.”
Following their season-opening road trip, UNB will host Dalhousie in their home opener next Friday, October 31st. Game time is 8:00pm.
STORY BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS
FILE PHOTO BY: Fran Harris/for UNB REDS