Axewomen advance to championship final after tight 3-2 victory over Huskies

(ST. JOHN'S, N.L.) The first game of the Subway AUS Women's Volleyball semifinal pitted the Saint Mary's Huskies against the Acadia Axewomen. The two teams split their regular season meetings, winning two games apiece. 

First set action saw the Axewomen firing on all cylinders taking an early lead halfway through the first set (15-9). The Huskies tried to regain composure and improved on the offensive front, but ended up dropping the set to the Axewomen (25-19). 

In the second set, the Huskies were more incisive going forward, while setting up a strong and solid defensive wall. Saint Mary's took a considerable lead early on in the set (8-3) which they would not relinquish despite an intense offensive effort by the Axewomen towards the end of the set. The Huskies took the set with a score of 25-20 to even out the score to 1-1. 

The third set saw both teams exchanging point after point with no side taking a healthy lead until the midway point of the set. With the score tied at 15, the Axewomen stepped on the gas and took a 22-16 lead. The Axewomen held onto this lead and took the set by a score of 25-18. 

In the fourth set, both teams exchanged points in an emotional and contested set. The midway point of the set saw the score tied at 12-12. The Huskies swiftly took the offensive initiative and made it 20-16 with their eyes set on a prospective fifth set thriller. The Huskies managed to make good on their advantage and took the game to the definitive fifth set (25-19).  

The fifth set saw two courageous teams giving it their all for the right to compete in the AUS final. The Axewomen took a 14-8 lead. However, in a display of resilience the Huskies were able to bring it to 14-13 before dropping the final point to the Axewomen.

Lauryn Renzella and Sarah Ross led the way for the Axewomen with 16 and 11 kills respectively, while Regan Herrington recorded 47 assists. For the Huskies, Erin Smith had 16 kills while Anna Watt recorded 10. 

The Acadia Axewomen now advance to face the Dalhousie Tigers in tomorrow's AUS championships final game at 7 p.m. NST. 

Source: Memorial Sports Information