Tigers down Axewomen in straight sets

(HALIFAX, N.S.) The Dalhousie Tigers won their fifth straight game at the Dalplex this past Friday. The Tigers put the Acadia Axewomen away in straight sets (25-18, 25-14, 25-18).

The win moves the Tigers into first place in the AUS with a 9-4 record, two points ahead of second place Saint Mary's.

The loss drops Acadia to 4-9 and fifth place in the AUS.

Before the start of the game, Tigers head coach Rick Scott presented his graduating players Raeesa Lalani, Marlee Powers, Petra Rafuse and Katherine Ryan with plaques celebrating their illustrious careers with the Tigers.

The teams traded points early in the first set before the Tigers pulled away late, mounting a 21-17 lead. Abby Czenze then set up Maggie Li for the kill to put the set away 25-18.

The Axewomen got down late early the second set as Raeesa Lalani powered the Tigers to a 5-1 lead early. The Tigers got out to a 22-12 lead. The Axewomen would only score two more points before the Tigers took the set 25-14.

The third set saw more of the same as the Tigers pounced on the Axewomen early, jumping out to a 7-2 lead. Both teams then battled back and forth as Acadia played with a real surge of energy. It wasn't enough to mount a comeback, though, as Anna Dunn powered one past the sprawling Acadia defence.

Meg Rector had a game-high nine kills and 12 digs in the loss for the Axewomen, while Amelia Grail added seven kills and 19 digs.

Maggie Li had eight kills to lead the victorious Tigers, and Desiree Nouwen and Katherine Ryan had five of their own.

The Axewomen will be back on the court next Wednesday when they face the Saint Mary's Huskies, while the Tigers will head to Fredericton to take on the UNB Varsity Reds on Feb. 1.

Source: Dalhousie Sports Information