Reds And Tommies Meet In Second Exhibition Match

REDS Bailey Lemieux, left, and Emma Burns, right, execute a block on a St. Thomas Tommies attack during Saturday's exhibition match. (PHOTO: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics)

March 20, 2021

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS and St. Thomas University Tommies women’s volleyball teams met Saturday afternoon, their second exhibition match in a week.

The team played four sets, with the REDS, of Atlantic University Sport, beating the Tommies, of the Atlantic Colleges Athletic Association, in all four.

“They put up such a good fight. I’m not going to sit here and say that they let us have that win,” said REDS third year setter Catherine Burns.

“We put in a lot of work this week at practice, figuring out what they had coming at us and I think that definitely changed the game today,” said Burns. “We were working really hard at using our technique and our tactics, and using them to our advantage to score.”

UNB jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the first set, prompting an early Tommies timeout.

The Tommies ended the UNB run, closing the gap to 8-5, but the REDS won the opening set 25-16.

In the second, St. Thomas took an early 7-3 lead, forcing the REDS to rally.

UNB led 16-12 midway through the set, but the Tommies refused to surrender.

They led 23-22, and the teams were tied at numerous points before UNB scored the final two points of a marathon set, taking a 30-28 win.

The Tommies led early in the third, but the REDS prevailed 25-17.

The teams did play a fourth set before ending the match.

UNB built a quick 6-1 lead on route to a 25-12 win.

“I think we worked really hard. I thought we had quite a few good digs, but the REDS came out swinging,” said fourth year Tommies libero Jenicca Jean. “The fact that we have been off for so long, and trying to get back into the swing of things, and the fact they do play at a higher level than we do… they have a lot more height than we do, so I think that was definitely a factor in today’s game.”

UNB and the Tommies played a five-set exhibition match last weekend.

The two matches, part of the pandemic-shortened season for both squads.

“This team has done a great job progressing over this season and not letting the lack of games impede on our process,” said Burns. “It would be nice to play against STU again, they’re great competition, but all in all, we’ve worked hard and we’re prepared for next season.”

RECAP AND PHOTOS: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics