UNB defeats Acadia 3–1 despite strong Axewomen push in second set
WOLFVILLE, N.S. — Acadia fell 3–1 to UNB on Saturday afternoon at Stu Aberdeen Court, dropping sets of 23–25, 25–20, 23–25 and 21–25. The Axewomen showed stretches of control—including a dominant second set—but UNB's strength at the net proved decisive. The Reds finished with 12 blocks compared to Acadia's seven.
UNB opened the match with a 4–0 run in the first set before Acadia responded with a kill from Mia Lemay-Evans. The Axewomen kept the set close with a service ace from Ella Hickey and key kills from Alexia Lemay-Evans, but UNB held a 22–21 edge late. Lydia Green closed the set with a kill to give the Reds a 25–23 win.
Acadia gained control in the second set, turning a 12–10 deficit into a 15–12 lead behind strong serving from Jenna Lake, who delivered back-to-back aces. Katie MacLean distributed the ball efficiently, and the Axewomen built momentum with kills from Alexia Lemay-Evans and Allison Van Zeumeren. Acadia closed the set 25–20 after a block by Mia Lemay-Evans.
The third set remained tight throughout. Alexia Lemay-Evans opened with a kill, and Acadia kept pace through blocks by both Lemay-Evans sisters. Lake added several key kills off MacLean's sets. A kill from Alexia Lemay-Evans tied the score at 23–23, but UNB sealed the set on a service ace from Danielle Krzywonos for another 25–23 final.
Acadia again started strong in the fourth set, taking an early lead thanks to a block from Charley McDonald and a service ace from Mia Lemay-Evans. The teams traded points through the middle stages, with MacLean continuing to set up kills for Lake and Alexia Lemay-Evans. However, several late errors allowed UNB to pull ahead, and the Reds closed the match with a 25–21 set win.
Alexia Lemay-Evans led Acadia with 18 kills, finishing with 19.5 total points and 11 digs. MacLean recorded 33 assists, while Mia Lemay-Evans posted five blocks, including four solo. Lake finished with 12 digs and 11 points.
UNB was paced by Green's 16 kills and .538 hitting percentage. Talia Nixon added 30 assists and 10 points, while Jenna Adams recorded 18 digs. Isla Olesen tallied three solo blocks, and Krzywonos added four more.
Up next: Acadia hosts UNB again on Sunday at 2 p.m.
