Reds return to competition with straight sets win

(FREDERICTON, NB) Make it back-to-back wins for the UNB REDS women’s volleyball team, even if those wins came 83 days apart. 

The REDS scored a 3-0 win over the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues on Saturday afternoon, winning with scores of 25-14, 25-18 and 25-15. 

The Atlantic University Sport match was the first for both sides after an extended layoff due to the pandemic restrictions imposed following the league’s December break. 

Lydia Green (Bedford, NS) had six kills, eight digs and 12.5 points for the REDS. She was named Subway Player of the Game. 

“It felt really good, it was exciting to be back,” said Green. “There was a bit of a break there, so the stamina wasn’t as good as it was at the end of the first half of the season, for sure.” 

The host REDS took control of the first set with some strong play at the net, building an early 6-1 lead and prompting a Moncton timeout. The REDS added to their lead, going ahead 8-1 before les Aigles Bleues could score again. At the technical timeout of the first set, the REDS were up 16-8 and went on to win 25-14. 

In the second set, Moncton scored some early points to tie UNB 2-2 before the REDS raced out to a 7-2 lead. On the serving of Anne Paquette (Baie Sainte-Anne, NB), Moncton trimmed UNB’s lead to 7-5. The REDS then fashioned a 5-0 run that featured some thunderous kills by Kristen Burns (Mississauga, ON). 

UNB lead 16-11 at the technical timeout, and both teams traded points as the hosts went ahead 21-16. Moncton would stay close, but the REDS would win the set 25-18. 

In the third, the REDS started quickly, with a Bailey Lemieux (Fredericton, NB) kill before les Aigles Bleues scored four straight points to go up 4-2. It was Moncton’s first lead of the afternoon. Three consecutive points from Emma Burns (Fredericton, NB) on two kills and a block pushed UNB ahead 10-7, forcing a Moncton timeout. The REDS led 16-12 at the set’s technical timeout, on route to a 25-15 win. 

“We kept our serves tough and I think our defence was good today,” said Green. “We didn’t let too much drop and we put the ball back over and made them play it out. We didn’t make too many mistakes.” 

Jasmine Allain (Richibucto, NB) led Moncton with 14 digs, while Paquette had a team-high six kills. 

“We broke the ice today,” said Aigles Bleues head coach Joline Richard. “There’s a learning curve. We’ll go back to the gym and re-set.” 

With the win, the REDS are now 6-and-5 and tied for second in the AUS standings. 

Moncton’s record falls to 1-and-8. 

“Just being back on the court was good,” said Coach Richard. “It was a lot emotionally and physically, so just being back and being able to be here, I feel like it’s a starting point, so it’s positive in that sense.” 

Catherine Burns (Fredericton, NB) had a game-high 32 assists to lead the REDS, while Katelyn Chapman (Indian Mountain, NB) contributed 25 digs. 

Recap courtesy of Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics