Fredericton, NB -
The St. Thomas University Tommies and the Université Sainte-Anne Dragons faced each other for the first time this season, where the home team Tommies finished with a 3-0 win.
Once again, veteran players were key to the Tommies' success, with Maddie MacGregor (Truro, NS) displaying her impressive serve and blocks. The ladies won 25-14 in the first set, utilizing their individual skill sets to their advantage. They began the second set equally as strong, taking a 12-6 after Abby Lanteigne (Fredericton, NB) smoked three consecutive kills past the hands of the Dragons' players. The Tommies were able to sub in rookie players to join the play, including Chloe Little (Rexton, NB), Ryley Horton (Calgary, AB), and Julia Campbell (Sussex, NB); Horton earning cheers with an exciting kill. The mix of old and new worked well for the Tommies, who took the second set 25-22 as Danica Godin (Fredericton, NB) placed her ball just within the baseline.
The Dragons didn't make it easy on the Tommies, not quitting and consistently getting hands on blocks. Tommies' head coach, Don McKay, says "they're not real big, but they play big, they got some really good hands on the ball," and mentions the need to adapt to one of their setters being lefthanded. One opposing player showed more spin on her serve than he'd seen in a long time, McKay adds, but he thought the ladies showed good intensity. A tight third set showed a few long rallies and increased pressure by the Dragons, however a timely tip by Sydney Doyle (Fredericton, NB) ensured USA didn't run away with the set. Little had her first kill of the night during the third set in a key moment, tying it at 14. The women took the third set 25-18, a good record on a night where McKay says the women made some "tremendous plays and great hits, and served fairly strong."
Looking into tomorrow's match against UKC, the Tommies hope to make more use of their middles, and improve the weekend's record to 2-0, while the Dragons will head to Moncton to face the Crandall Chargers.
Recap: Martina Barclay