Sherbrooke Rallies Past REDS
(FREDERICTON, NB) The U SPORTS No. 1 ranked Sherbrooke Vert et Or rallied from a set down to beat the UNB REDS 3-1 in RSEQ men's volleyball action, Saturday afternoon, at UNB's Richard J. Currie Center.
Sherbrooke won 20-25, 25-11, 25-17, and 25-17.
In the opening set, the REDS took advantage of some uncharacteristic Sherbrooke service and blocking errors to score a 25-20 victory.
The set loss was just the third so far this season for the top-ranked Vert et Or.
"It means a lot, because the big thing for us is to just keep getting better and if we know we can compete that hard against the number one team in Canada, it's a good step for us," said REDS' setter Lucas Maffia (Victoria, BC). "We need to work on maintaining that all game, but it's a good start."
The visitors responded emphatically, dominating the second set and winning 25-11.
The REDS fared better in the third set, but still could not keep pace with the high-powered Sherbrooke offence.
The visitors won the third 25-17.
In the fourth, Sherbrooke continued to flex their offensive muscle and the REDS did what they could to hang with them but lost by the same 25-17 score.
"They're a very good team, obviously," said Maffia "Our compete was there, better than most games we've played so far, but it seemed like we started getting scared and played tense. We have got to remember that we have a good team and keep trusting in ourselves."
Rafael Hilario (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) led the REDS with 13 kills while Scott Mann (Winnipeg, MB) had a match-high 14 digs.
Jérémie Doyon (St-Joseph de Beauce, QC) registered a match-high 15 kills for the Vert et Or and was named the Tim Horton's Player of the Game. Guillaume Rivest (St-Félix de Valois, QC) contributed 12 digs.
"There is stuff that we can be proud of, there is stuff we need to work on, but we showed we are taking a step in the right direction," said Maffia.
UNB is now 2-and-6 and sits in a three-way tie for third in the RSEQ standings with Dalhousie and Montreal.
Sherbrooke, now 6-and-0, continues to lead the league.
The REDS next action isn't until after the Christmas break, January 12th, when they visit Laval.
Sherbrooke is home, next Sunday, to take on Montreal.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics