Huskies sweep Axewomen in straight sets in home opener

HALIFAX, NS – Saint Mary's right side Esther Wildeboer and left side Emilia Mikanovich combined for 25 kills, as the Huskies swept the Acadia Axewomen in straight sets (25-23, 31-29, 25-17) in Atlantic University Sport women's volleyball action on Sunday night at the Homburg Centre in Halifax, NS.

First set: 25-23 Huskies

The first set saw the Huskies open up a 7-3 lead off three straight kills from Emilia Mikanovich, Esther Wildeboer and Jordin Parsons. The Axewomen came storming back, with a service run from Mia Lemay Evans putting them ahead 19-17. The two teams traded points, with the Axewomen taking a late 23-22 lead off of a Brianna Bourque block. But the Huskies finished the set with three straight points off a Mikanovich kill, Wildeboer ace, and Parsons block, and won the first set 25-23.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Another point off of Esther Wildeboer's serve and the Huskies take the first set 25-23! pic.twitter.com/ZNzMFhWuk1

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 26, 2025

Esther Wildeboer paced the Huskies with five kills and an ace in the opening set, while Mia Lemay-Evans led the Axewomen with two aces, a kill, and an assist.

Second set: 31-29 Huskies

The back-and-forth affair continued into the second set, as the Huskies and Axewomen traded points throughout. An Emilia Mikanovich service run opened up a 19-14 advantage, but Mia Lemay-Evans responded with a service run of her own, tying it up at 22-22. With Saint Mary's facing set point, Mikanovich recorded a kill, followed by another Wildeboer service ace. After a service error gave the Huskies a 30-29 lead, Mikanovich finished the set with a kill to give the Huskies the 31-29 marathon second set win.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Emilia Mikanovich finishes it off with a kill as the Huskies take a marathon second set 31-29, and take a two set lead over the Axewomen! pic.twitter.com/Y8Mv4eFx0N

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 26, 2025

Mikanovich led the Huskies with six kills in the second set, while Brianna Bourque and Jenna Lake provided three kills each for the Axewomen.

Third set: 25-17 Huskies

The Huskies took control in the third set, thanks to continued outstanding play from Wildeboer and Mikanovich, with two straight kills from Mikanovich opening up a 12-4 lead. Acadia provided some resistance with kills from Alexia and Mia Lemay-Evans, but Huskies first year middle Jordin Parsons went on a service run, with an ace extending the SMU lead to 23-15. Grace Blaskovits served up the winner, as the Huskies won their second straight over the Axewomen, 25-23, 31-29, 25-17.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Grace Blaskovits serves up the winner as the Huskies take the third set 25-17 and sweep the Axewomen 25-23, 31-29, 25-17!

The Huskies improve to 2-0 on the season and will be back on home court on Friday, Oct. 31 as we host the Moncton Aigles Bleues! pic.twitter.com/kD8GJ4VWVv

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 27, 2025

Saint Mary's right side Esther Wildeboer was named Player of the Match, recording 14 points on 12 kills, two aces and adding 10 digs. Emilia Mikanovich chipped in 15 points on 13 kills, two blocks and 13 digs. Taylor Lougheed dished out 29 assists and added four blocks.

The Axewomen were led by sisters Alexia and Mia Lemay-Evans, scoring 15 and 11 points respectively, with Mia serving up a match-high five aces. Setter Katie MacLean dished out a match high 30 assists, and Sophie Edgar led the Acadia defence with 10 digs.

The Huskies improve to 2-0, while the Axewomen drop to 0-2. The Axewomen will hit the road next weekend, taking on the Memorial Sea-Hawks (1-1) on Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1 in St. John's, NL, while the Huskies will be back on home court on Friday, Oct. 31, hosting the Moncton Aigles Bleues (0-1).

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics