Reds Down Axewomen

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds rose to every challenge they faced on Saturday afternoon, beating the Acadia Axewomen 3-1.

The Reds won with scores of 25-12, 17-25, 25-18 and 25-21.

"We watched lots of video, we really prepared, we really focused this week in training, and it was really to be able to bring our training that we worked on all week and apply it on the court," said Reds middle-hitter Robyn Anderson (Fernie, BC).

Anderson was named Subway Player of the Game with five kills and seven digs.

The Reds jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the first set and didn't look back, capitalizing on multiple mistakes by Acadia and using finesse and great serves to go up 1-0.

Acadia would put up a better fight in the second set, jumping out 2-0 before UNB would go on a 4-0 run. The Axewomen battled back to tie it 8-8, and built on their momentum to win the set 25-17 and make it a 1-1 game.

The Reds returned to their strong play in third, going up 16-8 to start the set. Acadia would not wait to respond however, going on a 9-0 run to erase the Reds lead and go up 17-16. The next two points would go back and forth before UNB went on an 8-0 run to take the set and a 2-1 lead.

"We kept saying to keep supporting each other, we were all really focused on working together as a team, everything was really positive," said Anderson.

The Reds fought hard in a back and forth fourth set to edge the Axewomen 25-21 and take the match 3-1.

Leading the way for the Reds was Siobhan Fitzpatrick (Kelowna, BC) with 15 kills and seven digs, while Victoria Eadle (Gallagher Ridge, NB) was also impressive with 11 kills and eight digs.

Lucy Glen-Carter (Toronto, ON) had 12 kills and 10 digs for the Axewomen, while Lauryn Renzella (Stouffville, ON) had eight kills and 12 digs. 

The Reds have now won three straight matches, while the Axewomen had their three-match win streak snapped.

Third-place UNB now sits just eight points back of second-place Acadia in the Atlantic University Sport standings.

The Reds will have another opportunity to gain even more ground when the two teams play the back half of their weekend series on Sunday. First serve is scheduled for 2:00pm.

RECAP BY: Jonathon James/for UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics