Huskies sweep REDS for fourth straight win

HALIFAX, NS - Saint Mary's left side Emilia Mikanovich recorded a match-high 12 kills as the Huskies won their fourth straight match, sweeping the UNB REDS in three sets (25-21, 25-19, 25-22) in Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball action on Friday night at the Homburg Centre in Halifax, NS.

First set: 25-21 Huskies

The first set saw the REDS open up an early 3-0 lead with kills from Kiana Huggins (London, ON) and Isla Olesen (Calgary, AB), but the Huskies responded with a seven point service run from left side Brea De Souza (Oakville, ON), putting the home team ahead 7-3. The two teams exchanged points for much of the set, with neither team ever leading by more than five points. With the Huskies ahead 23-21, left side Emilia Mikanovich (Minsk, Belarus) delivered a kill and middle Alena Piatukhova (Minsk, Belarus) served up the set winner, as the Huskies took the first set 25-21. Mikanovich led the Huskies with five kills in the first set, while REDS outside hitter Heather Benko (Sechelt, BC) recorded six kills for her side.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Emilia Mikanovich with the kill as the Huskies take the first set 25-21 over the REDS! pic.twitter.com/dMardmX2kf

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 1, 2025

Second set: 25-19 Huskies

The Huskies took an early lead in the second set with a De Souza kill putting them ahead 2-0. But the REDS responded with a five point service run from Heather Benko, including a service ace that put the visitors ahead 5-2. The REDS continued to grow their lead to 9-4 with kills from Lydia Green (Bedford, NS) and Isla Olesen, but the Huskies stormed back, with back-to-back kills from setter Grace Blaskovits (Kelowna, BC) tying the set at 9-9. A service ace from Emilia Mikanovich restored the Huskies lead, and they never looked back, with back-to-back kills from Alena Piatukhova and Brea De Souza giving the Huskies a 25-19 second set win. Alena Piatukhova led the Huskies with five kills in the second set, while Heather Benko once again paced the REDS with three kills and two aces.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Back-to-back kills from Alena Piatukhova and Brea De Souza finish off the second set, with the Huskies taking it 25-19 to open up a 2-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/HCE01UjwFH

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 1, 2025

Third set: 25-22 Huskies

The Huskies momentum continued into the third set, as middle Madison Hann (Conqueral Mills, NS) went on a service run including two aces, opening up a 6-0 Saint Mary's lead. A Heather Benko kill got the REDS on the scoreboard, but Saint Mary's continued to thrive from the service line, with an ace from Brea De Souza putting them ahead 9-3. The REDS cut into the lead with a Heather Benko ace and Kiana Huggins kill cutting the Huskies advantage to 14-11. The Huskies continued to keep a slim lead with a pair of kills from Mikanovich, but the REDS scored three straight points to tie the match at 22-22. Huskies setter Taylor Lougheed (Calgary, AB) set up Piatukhova and Mikanovich for back-to-back kills, before libero Lianne Rogers (Fletcher's Lake) assisted first year right side Esther Wildeboer (Ottawa, ON) for the match-point winner, with the Huskies taking the set 25-22, and sweeping the REDS in three sets.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Three straight kills for the Huskies, with Esther Wildeboer delivering match point, as they sweep the REDS in three sets (25-21, 25-19, 25-22) and improve to 12-4 on the season! pic.twitter.com/WLmRq9F7FM

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 1, 2025

The Huskies were led by left side Emilia Mikanovich who recorded a match-high 14 points on 12 kills and two service aces, and added 12 digs. Alena Piatukhova chipped in eight kills and three blocks, while Grace Blaskovits (15 assists) and Taylor Lougheed (11 assists and one ace) split setter duties.

The REDS were led by outside hitter Heather Benko, who recorded 11 kills and a match-leading three service aces. Lydia Green chipped in five kills and an ace, while setter Talia Nixon dished out a match-high 20 assists.

The Huskies fourth straight win improves their record to 12-4 on the season, while the REDS drop to 6-10 on the campaign. The two teams will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. at the Homburg Centre. GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics