Tigers top Axewomen 3-1 in last regular season game

HALIFAX, N.S. - The Dalhousie Tigers defeated the Acadia Axewomen 3-1 (25—23, 25-18, 24-26, 25-19) Saturday afternoon in the final match of the 2019-20 AUS regular season. 

Both teams traded points in the first set, with the Tigers leading most of the set until the Axewomen made a six-point surge and took a 16-15 lead into the technical time out. Down, but not out, the Tigers battled back and took the set 25-23. 

Acadia came out firing in the second set and were up 6-1 early one. The Tigers slowly started to close the gap and were up 16-15 at the technical time out. The Axewomen scored just three more points in the set, falling 25-18. 

The Axewomen got off to another early lead in the third set, but the Tigers again clawed their way back in. The teams traded leads in the second half of the set and it was the Axewomen who came out on top this time, taking the third set 26-24. 

Dalhousie rebounded in the fourth and were up 12-7 thanks in large part to three-consecutive service aces from Courtney Baker (Bridgewater, N.S.). Acadia's Peyton DeWolfe (Conquerall Mills, N.S.) answered with two aces of her own bringing the score to 12-12. From that point on, it was all Tigers and they took the fourth and final set 25-19. 

Julie Moore (Halifax, N.S.) had a match-high 16 kills for the Tigers, earning Subway Player of the Game honours. She also had 16 digs and two aces for 18.0 total points. Victoria Turcot (Halifax, N.S.) and Victoria Haworth (Waverley, N.S.) added eight kills apiece while libero Catherine Callaghan (Halifax, N.S.) had 16 digs. Baker had 38 assists, nine digs and five service aces in the win. 

Acadia's Becky Dorsey (Toronto, Ont.) earned player of the game honours for Acadia, collecting 16 digs in the loss. Lucy Glen-Carter (Toronto, Ont.) had a team-high 13 kill and added five digs and two aces. Taylor Collombin (Victoria, B.C.) had eight kills, 10 digs and four blocks. 

After finishing in the top spot of the AUS standings, the Tigers will host fourth-place UNB in one of two-semifinal series. The best two-of-three series will be hosted by Dalhousie on Thursday, February 20, Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22 (if needed). All games will start at 7 p.m. 

Acadia placed third in the regular season standings and will face the number-two ranked Saint Mary's Huskies next week. Hosted by Saint Mary's, the games take place on Thursday, February 20 and Friday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m. If needed, the third and final match of the series will be played on Saturday, February 22 at 4:00 p.m.