Axewomen lose season opener 3-1 to Huskies

WOLFVILLE, N.S. – With a boisterous crowd behind every point, the Axewomen volleyball team lost their season home opener against the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies.

Megan Bruhm led Saint Mary's with 12 kills and a hitting percentage of .258 as Huskies handed Acadia a 3-1 match loss. Bruhm was named the Subway Player of the Game for her performance that also included seven digs and two block assists.

Saint Mary's posted a 25-14 first set win to take a 1-0 match lead. Tied at 7-7, Bruhm landed two kills in a row to give the Huskies a 9-7 lead. The Huskies would push the lead to 11-7 on two Emilla Conlon aces.

The Huskies continued to capitalize on a defense that showed too many holes in the opening set.

The Axewomen rebounded with a 25-23 second set win with Lucy Glen-Carter and Peyton DeWolfe combining for six kills. Down 22-19 in the closing of the match, the Axewomen took advantage of two Huskie attack errors, combined with a Jamie Crocket service ace; kill by Glen Carter and a block by setter Sydney Zakutney. Glen-Carter closed the set with a kill to tie the match at one.

Ahead  17-13 in the third set, the Axewomen allowed the lead to slip away. Kills by Megan Burhm and Olivia Bell, gave the Huskies at 23-22 lead and eventual 25-22 win on two Acadia attack errors.

A back-and-forth game in the final fourth set offered no leads greater than two points. Tied at 16, the Huskies gained a lead that would not waiver. Ahead 22-21, two Acadia attack errors and a bad set gave the Huskies a 24-21 fourth set win and 3-1 match win.

Acadia's rookie setter Sydney Zakutney was named Acadia's Player of the Game. Zakutney recorded 34 assists and added nine digs and two service aces. Lucy Glen-Cart posted a game high 17 kills, while Peyton DeWolfe had 11 kills.

The Axewomen take on Dalhousie tomorrow afternoon, while the Huskies improve to 1-1 after a loss to Dalhousie last night.