The UNB Varsity Reds claim 2016 AUS men's volleyball banner

(HALIFAX, N.S.) - On Friday night at the Dalplex the UNB Varsity Reds claimed the AUS men's volleyball championship banner, defeating the Dalhousie Tigers 3-1 (25-20, 18-25, 25-23, 27-25).

Cody Timmons (UNB) and Jonathan MacDonald (DAL) were named Subway players of the game for their respective sides while Elvind Andersen (UNB) was named championship series MVP.

The UNB Varsity Reds went on a mini run early in the first set opening up an 11-7 lead. Dalhousie managed to tie the game up at 16-16 after a long rally and a big hit from O'Brien. Samuel Alves closed out the first set 25-20 for the Varsity Reds with a monster kill.

Dalhousie came out strong opening up at 6-3 lead in the second set. They would continue to control the pace of play in the set holding a 16-11 lead at the technical timeout. The Tigers tied the match at 1-1 with a 25-18 second set win.

Momentum generated by the Tigers in the second set carried over into the third as Dalhousie found themselves in the drivers seat with an 11-9 lead.

The two sides battled back and forth for the remainder of the set proving why they are the best two teams in the AUS.

McCarthy put the Varsity Reds up 24-23 after hitting a hard shot off the Dalhousie block. Alves came up clutch with a block on set point giving the Varsity Reds a commanding 2-1 set lead.

The two sides traded points in the fourth set, deadlocked in the early stages at 10-10. UNB established a slight lead at 17-14 forcing Dalhousie Head Coach Dan Ota to take a time out.

With their season on the line the Tigers dug deep taking a 21-19 lead. After a net violation the Tigers had a 25-24 lead giving them a chance to force a fifth set. Dalhousie could not capitalize on the set point as UNB scored three unanswered points taking the fourth set 27-25 and the match 3-1.

Pascal McCarthy led the UNB attack with 20 kills while Matthew Donovan had 14 for Dalhousie.

UNB will travel to McMaster University for the CIS championship next weekend.

League All-Stars
Setter: Jonathan Macdonald, Dalhousie
Middle: Sam Alves, UNB
Middle: Matthew Donovan, Dalhousie
Libero: Adam Sandeson, Dalhousie
Outside hitter: Elvind Andersen, UNB
Outside hitter: Kristen O'Brien, Dalhousie
Outside hitter: Pascal McCarthy, UNB