Huskies blank Axewomen 3-0 in opening match of AUS Tournament

FREDERICTON, NB) The Saint Mary's Huskies beat the Acadia Axewomen in straight sets, on day one of the Atlantic University Sport league tournament, in Fredericton. 

The Huskies won with scores of 25-20, 25-17 and 25-14. 

Emilla Conlon (Dartmouth, NS) led the Huskies with 25 assists and eight digs. She was named the Subway Player of the Game. 

"It feels good," said Conlon, of the win. "We didn't know how we'd play off the bus, but we played really well, so I'm happy." 

The Huskies raced out to an early 8-1 lead in the first set, forcing the Axewomen to call an early time-out. 

The tactic worked, and Acadia was able to win the next couple of points, but Saint Mary's led 16-9 at the technical time-out. 

The Huskies the pushed their lead to 21-13. 

A 4-0 run by the Axewomen closed the gap and forced the Huskies to take a time-out. 

Acadia would push, but the Huskies held, winning the first set 25-20. 

The second set began much the same way the first set ended, with both teams trading points. 

The Huskies would push ahead, leading 16-9 at the technical time-out, and then extending that lead to 19-9. 

The Axewomen scored four of the next five points, but the Huskies were able to maintain a lead, and Saint Mary's won the second set 25-17. 

In the third set, the Huskies jumped out to an 8-2 lead, forcing an Acadia time-out. 

The Huskies continued to build, leading 16-8 at the technical time-out and pushing the lead to 23-9, on route to a 25-14 set win and the 3-0 victory. 

Renee Cleveland (Saint-Martin, NS) recorded a match-high 17 digs for Saint Mary's, while Olivia Bell (Lahave, NS) had 12 kills, also a match-high. 

Lucy Glen-Carter (Toronto, ON) led Acadia with 10 kills and six digs. Sydney Zakutney (Ottawa, ON) had a match-high 27 assists. 

The Huskies, now 5-and-2, face Moncton in Saturday's 3:00pm match. 

Acadia, now 4-and-3, takes on Memorial on Saturday. That match is scheduled to begin at 5:00pm. 

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics 

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB Athletics