Axewomen pick up first win of young season and improve to 1-1

(WOLFVILLE, N.S.) - The Axewomen volleyball team handed Saint Mary's a 3-2 loss in the Huskies' first regular season game. The Axewomen improve to 1-1 after their season openning loss to Dalhousie last Friday.

Subway Player of the Game Meg Rector hammered home a game-high 20 kills while teammates Kristen Bolduc and rookie Sarah Ross added ten each.

The Axewomen took control of the first set by stretching out to a 11-3 lead off the serving of Amelia Grail and Meg Rector. The Huskies worked back from the eight point deficit, closing the gap to 22-19, but Acadia prevailed with a kill by Kristen Bolduc and a service ace by first year Axewoman Tessa Bulmer. Ultimately Acadia would take the first set 25-20.

Saint Mary's tied the match at one with a 26-24 second set win. With the Huskies leading 10-5, Acadia fought back to tie the game at 13 on a service ace by Bulmer. Overtaking the Huskies, Acadia pushed into a 18-14 lead, however Saint Marys' came back to tie the set at 24 on a kill by Erin Smith. The Huskies took advantage of two attack errors by Acadia, grabbing the second set 26-24.

Playing neck and neck throughout the opening of the third set, the Huskies eventually pushed to an insurmountable 20-15 and eventual 25-19 third set win.

A fourth set see-sawed back and fourth until three service aces by first-year middle Fiona McGuinty gave Acadia a 16-11 lead. The Axewomen's eventual 25-17 win would push the match to a fifth and deciding set.

Trailing early, Acadia took a 4-2 lead on four kills in a row by Meg Rector (2), Fiona McGuinty and Rector again. Acadia finally pushed out to a 13-10 lead and an eventual 15-10 win.

Several Axewomen posetd two or more service aces including Tess Bulmer (2), Fiona McGuinty (3), Sarah Ross (2), Meg Rector (3) and Kristen Bolduc (3).  Rector's 20 kills were overshadowed by an amazing 0.364 hitting percentage

Huskies highs were posted by Shelby Michaels with 17 kills along with teammates Briana Donnelly and Olivia Henderson who posted 11 and 10 kills respectively.

The Axewomen have the weekend off and return to the play on Saturday, Nov. 9 at UNB. The Axewomen beat UNB 3-0 in preseason play. Saint Mary's will take on their cross town rivals Dalhousie next Wednesday night at Dal.

Source: Acadia Sport Information