Fredericton, NB - The St. Thomas University Tommies beat the University of New Brunswick Saint John Seawolves by a score of 3-1 on Saturday, dropping only the third set to a hardworking opponent. The Tommies won their final match of the semester with set scores of 25-20, 25-19, 23-25, and 25-20.
The first set began tight, with two good blocks by the Seawolves tying it at 7. A tip by Raphael Fiset (Calgary, AB) and a kill by Austin Hamilton (Miramichi, NB) would eventually put STU up 16-15. Rookies Mason Brewer (Bathurst, NB) and Nathan O'Hara (Ajax, ON) subbed in for the Tommies, helping them to a 25-20 first set win.
The Tommies came strong out of the gates in the second set, going up 16-10 after a solid kill from Jacob Tratch (Saskatoon, SK). Solid setting from Raphael Fiset followed by a stellar kill from veteran Adam McDougall (Calgary, AB) gave STU an 18-14 lead. They would eventually win the second set 25-19, but not without slight pushback from the Seawolves.
UNBSJ showed their heart in the third set, with some nice blocks to keep it tight. After a tie at 15, the Seawolves would go up 20-18. Second-year Kevin Douglas (Surrey, BC) came up with a big block when the Tommies needed it, but it wasn't enough to win the set, as the Seawolves took to 25-23.
To start the fourth set, first-year Brenton Romanchuk (Drewberry, AB) gave the Tommies momentum with a big block, which veteran Austin Hamilton continued with a kill to go up 9-3. After a few points in a row for STU, Andrew Arsenau (Fredericton, NB) would keep the set tight for UNBSJ with a big kill. However, the Tommies remained solid and took the final set 25-20.
Head coach of the Tommies Henri Mallet says while his team performed well offensively, they lacked in other parts of their game.
"I don't think we were as strong as we can be," said Mallet.
He thought the Seawolves passed well and noted that their young team got some key points in crucial moments of the game.
"They never quit," said Mallet. "They kept battling, no matter what the score was.
Adam McDougall led STU in kills with 14, while Brenton Romanchuk followed with 11. Setter Liam McLellan (Fredericton, NB) showed a strong performance for the Seawolves with 32 assists, while Thomas Blizzard (Fredericton, NB) led the team in kills with 17.
This was the second of five matchups between STU and UNBSJ, and the final game of the first semester for both teams. They next meet on January 21, in the Seawolves home gym.
