Reds Take Down Aigles Blues

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds improved to 2-and-0 with a 3-0 win over l'Universitè de Moncton Aigles Bleues on Friday.

The Reds won with scores of 26-24, 25-22 and 25-22.

"There is enjoyment in winning," said Reds head coach Christine Biggs. "You're rewarded for the work you're putting in, but every game is a new game."

The first set was a back and forth affair that les Aigles Bleues led 16-12 at the technical time out.

Coming out of the break, Megan Kuciak (Ottawa, ON) scored two big kills to pull UNB within a pair.

UNB would pull ahead 18-16, before Moncton rallied to make the score 20-20.

With the Reds up 25-24, Moncton had a hard time handling a Paige Lehto (North Vancouver, BC) serve and UNB won the first set 26-24.

Early in the second set, Nicole Jamieson (Moncton, NB) gave UNB some trouble with her serving as Moncton built a 7-3 lead.

Les Aigles Bleues extended their lead to 10-5 and led 16-14 at the technical time-out.

The Reds rallied late, winning the set 25-22.

Moncton to an early lead in the third set, establishing a 9-3 advantage.

Again, les Aigles Bleues led at the technical time-out, and again, UNB rallied late and won 25-22.

"It feels good," said third year outside hitter Kristen Burns (Mississauga, ON), named Subway Player of the Game. "We're working super hard, but we still have a long season ahead."

Pascale Doiron (Dieppe, NB) led Moncton with 10 kills and 12 digs, while Joanie Arsenault (Tracadie-Sheila, NB) added 13 digs.

Kuciak had a match-high 14 digs for the Reds, while fifth year hitter Siobhan Fitzpatrick (Kelowna, BC) fired 12 kills.

"I liked that they were resilient," said Biggs. "Moncton looked better, they're already improving from last time, so I liked how we responded. It took us a little longer than I'd hoped, but I thought we responded and fought through even when we were down."

With the loss, Moncton is now 0-3.

While UNB improves to 2-0, Biggs feels it's too early to talk about the team's record.

"We have to keep going back and practicing hard and training hard for our next opponent, regardless of what's happened in the past," she said. "We're happy with the win, but it's now gone and we have to look ahead to what's next."

The Reds will host the Saint Mary's Huskies on Saturday. First serve is scheduled for 4:00pm.

Moncton visits the Dal Tigers next Friday. Game time is 6:00pm

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics