UNB On The Brink After 3-0 Loss
(MONTREAL, QC) The UNB REDS find themselves on the brink of elimination from the RSEQ playoffs after a 3-0 loss to Université de Montreal Carabins, Friday, in the opening game of their best of three conference semi-final series.
Montreal won with scores of 25-19, 25-21, and 25-22.
Eduardo Luchese (Rio Grande du Sol, Brazil), named a 1st Team RSEQ All Star earlier in the day, led the UNB attack with 11 kills.
Bradley Merryweather (New Maryland, NB) had 21 assists.
Guillaume Bisson (Rouyn Noranda, QC) and Alexis Tournier (Gatineau, QC) led the Carabins with 13 kills apiece.
"We played at a pretty good level, but we ran into a hot night for Montreal's spin servers who proved difficult to contain and caused some reception issues," said REDS head coach Dan McMorran. "I thought we battled well and were able to get some valuable experience for some of our younger guys."
Despite closer scores, the UNB attack struggled in sets two and three after dominating in the opening set.
The REDS and Carabins face each other again on Saturday, in game two of the series.
"We have been steadily improving in every area, and our guys are eager to get another opportunity to that on Saturday," said Coach McMorran.
Saturday's match is scheduled to start at 7:00pm Atlantic time.
UNB's Scott Mann (Winnipeg, MB) joined Luchese as a RSEQ All Star, being named a member of the conference's All Rookie Team. Mann was also recognized with the RSEQ's Community Service Award for men's volleyball.
PHOTO: File