Tommies Top Mystics
The St. Thomas Tommies defeated the MSVU Mystics 3-1 Saturday afternoon in Halifax, NS.
The first set was a see-saw affair with both teams trading points and the lead early on until the Mystics pulled ahead with a 15-10 lead, forcing STU coach Kim Colpitts to call a timeout.
The Mystics continued to lead and closed out the first set 25-19 with a kill from Catherine MacPhail.
A strong blocking performance by Sarah Ryan and Cela MacLellan made scoring points challenging for St. Thomas, but Kathleen Boyle was able to record five kills in the first set to pace the Tommies.
Serving errors plagued both teams early on in the second set as they traded points in similar fashion as the first set, until STU was able to earn a three-point lead to go up 11-8. The Mystics chipped away at the Tommies lead to see the teams knotted at 15. Soon after, STU regained the lead and were up 19-16, forcing Mystics head coach Derrick Brooks to call a timeout.
As play continued, the teams continued to trade points and were tied at 21 when STU called timeout. The Tommies continued to lead and closed the second set with a 25-23 to tie the match at one set apiece.
MSVU held a lead for much of the first set until the Tommies tied things up at 11, and went on multiple two-point runs to go up 17-13 and MSVU went on a two-point run to close the gap at 15-17. STU took control again and were up 20-17 when the Mystics called timeout.
The Mystics rallied to tie the set at 20 and continued to push, but the Tommies fought hard to edge them out 25-23 to lead the match 2-1.
The fourth set saw the teams continue to battle for points and traded the lead until they were knotted at 21 and then again at 24 to force extra points. STU earned the last two points to take the set 26-24 and the match 3-1.
Kathleen Boyle led the Tommies with 27 kills and 15 digs, while Brooke Thompson added 25 digs in the win.
It was Catherine MacPhail leading the way for the Mystics with 19 kills and 14 digs. Hannah Huntley had 14 kills and 19 digs.
The Mystics continue their home stand on Sunday, January 26, hosting the UNBSJ SeaWolves. St. Thomas is back in action next Saturday.