WOLFVILLE, N.S. – ‘Three straight sets’ was the storyline this weekend as the Axewomen volleyball team completed a three-match sweep this weekend against the visiting Memorial Sea-Hawks.
Today’s 3-0 win was the third time Acadia swept a match against the Sea-Hawks this weekend.
Outside Hitter Bianca Ruiz was named the Subway Player of the Game after posting eight kills, 11 digs, one service ace, and a solo block.
“We are all pretty happy (with the three wins). We worked pretty hard this weekend and we were set on our goals and we accomplished them all. We are pretty proud of ourselves,” noted Ruiz following the win.
The Sea-Hawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead – their first of the weekend but the Axewomen quickly grabbed a 6-3 lead off the service work by Sydney Zakutney who landed two aces.
Down 19-12, the Sea-Hawks pulled together a rally that squeezed the lead down to 22-19. Acadia held on the slim advantage for the eventual 25-23 win.
Once again, close in the opening of the second set, a kill by Acadia’s Jamie Crocket gave the Axewomen a somewhat insurmountable lead that would hold until the final point in a 25-13 win.
With a 5-3 lead early in the third game, the Sea-Hawks pushed the lead to 10-8 until a service ace by Jamie Crocket and a Memorial attack error tied the game at 10.
Memorial would not give in and continued to fight for the lead. Two kills by Crocket would give Acadia a 20-16 lead into the home stretch. A kill by Lucy Glen-Carter gave the Axewomen a 25-21 set win and a 3-0 match victory.
Glen-Carter and Collombin combined for 18 kills – nine each, while Ruiz added eight. First-year setter Sydney Zakutney posted 29 of 33 assists.
Emily Batt was named the Sea-Hawks player of the game. Batt recorded five kills and two service aces. Kaitlyn Kuchinka posted a team-high 6 kills. Katie Wagar was the top defender with 19 digs.
The Axewomen improve to 10-6 and trail the second-place Saint Mary’s Huskies by two points in the standings. Though, the Huskies have a game in hand.
This year’s AUS playoff format has changed and the first and second place teams in the final standings host a three-match semi-final series against the fourth and third place teams respectively.
The Axewomen return to the court this coming weekend against fifth-place Moncton on Friday and undefeated and first place Dalhousie on Sunday. Dalhousie, Saint Mary’s, Acadia and UNB have clinched a playoff berth. The remaining two weeks will determine who will host the two semi-final series.
The Sea-Hawks remain winless and host UNB for three matches next weekend.
Eric Cederberg is the Director of Communications for Acadia Athletics.
