Womenâ??s volleyball looking strong

As the Varsity Reds women’s volleyball team continued their preparation for the regular season, they played host to the Royal Military College.

UNB took the even matchup 3-0 over RMC (Kingston, ON).

The Reds opened up with a 26-24 first set win, followed by a 25-10 second set win.

RMC did not intend on leaving quietly as they stretched the third set out as the Reds were forced to work for the win as they took the set 27-25.

This was the first match of the season that fourth-year middle Tanya Paulin (Bathurst, NB) dressed after sitting out for the first five matches recovering from surgery in August.

Paulin had five kills on five swings to hit 100% while playing in just one set in order to ease her back into things.

Coach John Richard was pleased with the result as well as the team’s performance with Paulin in the lineup for the first time.

“I thought it was a step in the right direction,” said Richard. “We are much different with Jill and Erica on the left-side and with Tanya back in the lineup we can do that more consistently.”

Second year players Amanda Bakker (Winnipeg, MB) and Rebecca Glancy (Toronto, ON) also had strong performances in Friday’s matchup. Glancy posted eight kills and 11 points, while Bakkar chipped in 28 assists and five points.

Richard saw a positive in what these younger players have been able to contribute to the team on the court so far this season.

“Seeing Rebecca score both from the right-side and middle was a real positive sign as was Amanda’s setting as she continues to get better each time out. The match was something we can build on as we head into what will be a tough home tournament next weekend.”

The V-Reds will be hosting their annual UNB invitational tournament this weekend. They will have tough competition as they host Moncton (2008-09 AUS Champions), Acadia (AUS semi-finalist last season), STFX (winner of the 2010 Dalhousie Invitational), and Cape Breton.

UNB opens up the tournament against Cape Breton and StFX on Friday, with matches against Moncton and Acadia on Saturday. The playoff rounds will go Sunday.

If the Reds want to turn their streak of seven consecutive gold medals at this event into eight they will have to be at their very best. The deep, talented field of teams and parity across the conference will make winning it that much harder.

Going into the weekend, the Reds will have two players out. Fourth year setter Alyson Clow (Kensington, PEI) will still be out with mononucleosis, while rookie left-side player Taylor MacDonald (Bathurst, NB) was injured in practice last week.