The University of New Brunswick Saint John Seawolves women’s volleyball team took to the court on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 12th) in their home opening match against the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus Rams. Take a scroll through the pictures above and check out our recap below!
UNBSJ’s head coach, Lauren Hale-Miller, started veterans Montanna Meyer, Jenna DeGooyer, Taylor McGrattan and Madi Hartos. Rookies Bridget Smith, Meagan Kozak, and Maggie Birney made their debut for the Seawolves in this weekend’s game.
Both teams came out to a running start in the first set. Back and forth play led to a 9-9 tie. Afterward, the Seawolves’ hitters went to work with Birney, DeGooyer, and Hartos landing kills which allowed UNBSJ to pull away.
At 17-10, the Rams were forced to take a time out. When play resumed, the Rams weren’t able to close the gap and trailed the home team 24-12. Seawolves’ errors delayed finishing off the set but finally the home team ended it the set with a score of 25-15.
The second set opened with unanswered spin serves from third year hitter Jenna DeGooyer. The Rams retaliated with huge defensive plays to bring the score back to 5-5. UNBSJ kept their cool and pulled away again, forcing Dal AC into their second time out of the match at 10-5.
A huge block from the Rams’ Laura MacInnes and a kill from Thea McLachlin kept the score close. Midway through the set, Seawolves’ saw their first substitutions of the match. Rookie Olivia Bell replaced Smith and first year setter Maria Cummings stepped in for McGrattan.
UNBSJ didn’t let their opponent keep the momentum for long. Middle and outside hitters executed and opened a gap in the score at 23-13.
UNBSJ had a hard time finishing off the set as the Rams’ hung on. Eventually, a tough kill from middle hitter Maggie Birney concluded a closer second set, at 25-19.
Looking to sweep the visiting team, the Seawolves took to the court for the third set. Back to back service aces gave the Rams an edge at 9-6. However, their lead wouldn’t last long. During the final moments of the game, consecutive aces from Birney and a big swing from Meyer closed off the set at 25-20.
This resulted in the Seawolves’ first win at home, with a 3-0 sweep.
Sunday afternoon, the Mount Allison University Mounties visited UNBSJ for the Seawolves’ second home game of the season.
Early in the first set, back and forth play kept the score close. Madi Hartos then went on an impressive service streak, forcing Mount A to take two timeouts and allowing the Seawolves to pull away, 18-9. The Mounties couldn’t bounce back from the blow and a spin serve from DeGooyer finished off the first set, 25-13.
The Seawolves took an early lead in the second set and capitalized on the Mounties’ errors. The visiting team was forced to take more time outs to recuperate and head coach Paul Settle was visibly frustrated.
UNBSJ had the upper hand the entire set and kept a respectable lead. The set finished with a big kill from Birney, giving the Seawolves a 25-16 lead.
Victory in the third set was a bit more of a challenge for UNBSJ. Mount Allison was energetic and landed back-to-back service aces midway through the set.
At 17-16, the Mounties took their first and only lead of the match. The Seawolves quickly turned the tables as Hartos and DeGooyer picked up kills assisted by setter, Taylor McGrattan.
A Mounties hitting error gave the Seawolves their last point of the set ending the game at 25-20 and helping the Seawolves pick up their second win at home for the weekend.
Consecutive straight-set victories puts the Seawolves in second place in the conference standings early in the regular season.
UNBSJ is on the road next weekend to Halifax for their first matchup against the Mount Saint Vincent University Mystics. Tune in to acaatv.ca on November 18th at 1:30pm to cheer on the Seawolves.
