Reds Complete Sweep Of Axewomen

(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds moved into a tie for second place in the Atlantic University Sport standings with a 3-0 win over the Acadia Axewomen on Saturday, sweeping their two-match weekend series.

UNB won with scores of 25-20, 25-22, and 25-23.

Adora Rooyakkers (Port Hawkesbury, NS) led the Reds with 11 kills and nine digs, and was named the Subway Player of the Game.

"We were determined to not let anything hit the floor and our in-game adjustments worked," said Rooyakkers. "We reacted to what they were doing. It was a good battle."

The Reds fought from behind to take an 11-7 lead early in the first set.

A Paige Lehto (North Vancouver, BC) ace pushed the lead to 14-11, and UNB took a 16-13 lead to the technical time-out.

The Reds won the first set 25-20.

The Axewomen raced out to a 6-0 lead to start the second.

Amazingly, the Reds battled back to lead 16-15 at the technical time-out, only to see Acadia rally and go up 18-17.

The back and forth nature of the set continued as the teams tied at 18, 19, and 22, before UNB pulled ahead 24-22, winning the second set 25-22.

In the third, play remained close.

The Reds led 16-13 at the technical time-out, but the Axewomen then went on a 4-0 run to pull ahead 17-16.

The teams were tied 18-18 and 19-19 before Acadia moved ahead 21-19, prompting a UNB time-out. That tactic paid off, as the Reds scored the next three points to go up 22-21.

UNB held on to win the third set 25-23, and take the match 3-0.

"We competed as best we could, but at the end of the day we just didn't transition well enough," said Acadia's Taylor Collombin (Victoria, BC). She registered eight kills and 13 digs for the Axewomen. "We just didn't finish like we usually do, and like we need to, so we need to focus on that."

Kelsie Dukart (Parkland County, AB) had a match-high 18 digs for the Reds, while Victoria Eadle (Gallagher Ridge, NB) added 12.

"It feels good," said Rooyakkers, of the win. "It's reassuring knowing that what we're doing every day in the gym is paying off, but we're still not satisfied, so we're going to go back in the gym this week."

The Axewomen, now 7-and-6, host the Memorial Sea-Hawks on Friday.

The Reds, now 8-and-6, visit the Saint Mary's Huskies on Friday. That match is scheduled for a 7:00pm start.

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics