V-Reds come from behind to win 3-2 over Moncton

(FREDERICTON, N.B.) - The UNB Varsity Reds came from behind to defeat the visiting Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues 3-2 in today's volleyball action at the Richard J. Currie Center.

The individual set scores were: 15-25, 14-25, 25-23, 25-20 and 15-10.

The match opened up with Moncton taking an early 7-2 lead on some fast-paced kills from Joline Richard. UNB's Rebecca Glancy fought back with some heated kills of her own to stay in the set, 19-13. The serves of Genevieve LeBlanc's proved to be too much for the V-Reds as Moncton took the first set, 25-15.

The second set saw the Aigles again pull out in front quickly 6-2 under the clever serving of Rachelle Lemoine. UNB's Celina Abba answered back for the V-Reds with a massive kill to bring the score to a close 7-5. Moncton capitalized on UNB technical errors enabling them push their lead to 17-7. Moncton's Natasha Leblanc added the decisive kill in the set, slapping down a well-placed pass to take the set 25-14.

In the third set, UNB tightened up their game and started to communicate better, creating a well-organized attack and forcing Moncton to make mistakes. UNB's Glancy continued with her dominant play sending three consecutive kills down on the Moncton end and building a 11-9 lead. The Aigles' Judith Desjardins kept up with the V-Reds with a strong run at the service line, recording four back-to-back points to tie the set, 19-19. On a huge kill from the back, UNB hitter Vanja Mitrovic slammed down the last point of set, winning it for UNB, 25-23.   

UNB got some huge blocks in the fourth set from Mitrovic and Abba, maintaining a huge presence at the net and shutting down the Moncton offensive. The strong net-play continued with Jody McGill coming in clutch for the V-Reds, blocking the oncoming ball and sending it to the floor to push the score to 21-16. On the final play of the set, Glancy tipped the ball past the hands of the Moncton players to take the fourth set 25-20.

In the decisive set both teams exchanged huge kills. Mitrovic slammed down a number of massive swings to get the V-Reds out front 8-6. Moncton began to struggle on serve, giving UNB more time to set up their shots and extend their lead, now 10-8. UNB completed the comeback with Mitrovic forcefully striking the ball into the court, winning the set 15-10 and the match 3-2.

After being down for the first half of the series head coach Jilliane Goulet switched up the formation of her squad to try and crack the Moncton offense. "We went back to a lineup that we are more comfortable with," she said of the switch. "We started with something we had been trying in the first two sets, we went back to our comfort zone, and that's all it took to clean up their execution."

The Aigles Bleues next take to the court Friday, Jan. 24 when they visit the Cape Breton Capers for a 7 p.m. game.

The next action for the Varsity Reds will be Saturday Jan. 25 when they will travel to Newfoundland to take on the Memorial University Sea-Hawks. Game time is at 6 p.m.

Source: UNB Sports Information