Carabins Over Dal In Five-Setter

(FREDERICTON, NB) For the second time in as many nights, the U SPORTS No. 7 ranked l'Universite de Montreal Carabins were pushed to a fifth set.

The Carabins improved to 7-1 this season with a 3-2 victory over the Dalhousie Tigers, in AUS/RSEQ interlock play, in Fredericton.

Montreal needed five sets to beat UNB on Friday, the first time the Carabins needed a fifth set this season.

After falling behind Montreal 15-10 in the first, the Tigers rallied, scoring nine of the final ten points, including the last four, to win the opening set 26-24.

Montreal rebounded, taking the second set 25-20 and the third 25-23.

Dal forced the deciding set by taking the fourth 25-20. Once again, they scored the final four points of the set to earn the victory.

In the fifth, on the strong serving of Louis-Karl Pedneault(Ottawa, ON), Montreal went on a late 5-0 run as they won the set 15-9.

Godefroy Veyron-Trudel(Quebec City, QC), with 21 kills, and Olivier Riopel(Gatineau, QC), with 21 digs, led Montreal.

Gabriel Chancy(Montreal, QC) added 17 digs and a match-high 50 serve assists, and was named the Subway Player of the Match for the Carabins.

"They got better from the first tournament, at Dalhousie," said Chancy. "I think they played better. They were serving tough, and I feel like I ran a lot. I'm a little exhausted. They stepped up their game."

Graham Schmuland(Calgary, AB) led the Tigers with 20 digs, while Matthew Donovan(London, ON) contributed 16 kills.

Adam Spragg(Gilford, ON) had 14 digs and 49 serve assists for Dal. He was named the Subway Player of the Match for the Tigers.

"We're not satisfied with the loss," said Spragg. "We learned that we need to take every point like it's the most important point. We have to make sure we're focusing on that next point, releasing the last one and playing our game."

The Tigers have a week off before returning to Fredericton to face the Varsity Reds on January 27^th and 28^th.

"We have to work out some of the kinks, watch some video, see what we did wrong, what we did well, then take a look at their games, and see what we can do," said Spragg.

The next RSEQ action for Montreal is next Saturday, when they visit Laval.

"We're happy, but not satisfied," said Chancy. "We're happy with the wins, but we had so many ups and downs. I think we can clean our game up a little bit."

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Kyle Lamkin/for UNB Athletics