Fredericton, NB – The St. Thomas University Tommies' played their home opener at the Lady Beaverbrook Gym against the University of New Brunswick Saint John Seawolves. 

The Tommies started hot, scoring the first four points of the match. An 11-4 lead to start would force the Seawolves to call a timeout. But it wouldn't put out the Tommies' fire, as another one was called as STU continued to get to a 19-8 lead. STU finished the first set 25-14. 

The Seawolves grabbed momentum to begin the second set – after dropping the first point, a rally of desperation, making consecutive stops to keep the play alive, would earn them their own point. The Seawolves jumped to a 6-3 lead. The two swapped leads throughout the second set, going point for point before the Tommies pulled away and would win the set 25-17. 

UNB SJ brought the heat in the third set – another back-and-fourth affair saw the Seawolves leading 23-22, before closing it out 25-22. STU recovered in the fourth set and were able to close it out to grab their first victory of the season.

Tommies' head coach Don McKay said his team started the game great but need to be able to close out games.

"We took the game to them early," McKay said. "We started to miss serves and allowed them to get back into it. There were too many unforced errors."

Kathleen Boyle (Fredericton, NB) led the Tommies with 16 kills, while Julia Campbell (Sussex, NB) had 32 assists.

The Tommies will take on the University of King's College Blue Devils in their next match on Nov. 11 at the Lady Beaverbrook Gym.