Mystics triumph over Dragons in three sets

The Dragons took the early set lead up 10-6 after they had a seven-point run, that was highlighted by five Mystics unforced errors. The Mystics looked to regroup and find their focus as Hailey Nason (Nackawic, NB) had a crucial kill, followed by a block that narrowed the gap to 10-8 for the Dragons. With the Dragons holding onto a 16-12 lead, the Mystics charged back into the match as Catherine MacPhail (Halifax, NS) had a timely kill, followed by a kill by Hannah Huntley (Truro, NS), and an ace by McKenzie Antle (Bishops Falls, NL) to cut the lead to 16-15 for the Dragons. The Mystics made another run later in the set, as MacPhail served an ace to tie the set at 17-17, followed by a kill by Huntley, and another block by Nason to give the Mystics a 19-17 lead. As the set progressed, the Mystics were able to maintain a steady lead, which led to their set victory by a score of 25-23.

At the start of the second set, the Dragons took the early 7-3 lead, highlighted by an ace by Amy Arseneau (Rivière-à-la-truite, NB). The Mystics responded with timely kills from Mia Murphy (Truro, NS) to tie the set at 9-9. As both teams traded points in the set, the Mystics took the narrow lead at 14-13. Sarah Ryan (Inverness, NS) had a strong kill for the Mystics, followed by an ace by Antle, and another block for Ryan to give the Mystics a 17-13 edge that forced the Dragons to call a timeout. As things ensued, the Mystics maintained control as they took the set 25-21.

In the third set, the Dragons had an early set lead as took the first three points of the match to give them a 3-0 lead. The Mystics were able to respond to this early barrage with an important kill by Cela MacLellan (Sydney, NS) and a critical kill by MacPhail which narrowed the Dragons' lead to 4-3. The Dragons took an 8-6 lead with a kill from Sophie Leger (Haute Aboujagne, NB). The Mystics quickly responded with consecutive kills by MacLellan to tie the match up at 8-8. The Dragons continued to challenge the Mystics throughout the set but the Mystics were able to answer each flurry with a counterattack of their own. The Dragons held a 14-13 lead when MacLellan had consecutive aces to give the Mystics a 15-14 lead. As the set continued, the Mystics were able to stay the course, and they closed out the Dragons on a kill by Emily Murphy (Moncton, NB) to give the Mystics a third set victory of 25-23.

The Mystics moved to 7-3 and the Dragons fall to 0-11. The Mystics return to the court after the Holiday Break when they travel to the University of King's College to face their crosstown rival Blue Devils on Saturday, January 11th. Game time is at 1:00pm. The Dragons will host the St. Thomas Tommies on Sunday, January 12th. Game time is at 11:00am.