Mystics best Hurricanes in straight sets
The Mystics extended their win streak to six games, as they defeated the Hurricanes in three sets 25-19, 25-22, 27-25.
(Halifax, NS) The Mount Saint Vincent Mystics defeated the Holland Hurricanes in three sets 25-19, 25-22, 27-25 at the A. Garnet Brown Memorial Gymnasium this afternoon.
The Mystics opened the match strong as they jumped out to an early 6-1 lead, highlighted by consecutive kills by Sarah Ryan (Inverness, NS). As the set continued, the Hurricanes battled back into the set, thanks to two kills by Myah Utrosa (Brooklin, ON) to narrow the Mystics lead to 11-7. Later in the set, as the Mystics maintained their lead, Mia Murphy (Truro, NS) had a crucial ace to give the Mystics a 16-11 lead. The Mystics would end up winning the first set 25-19.
As the second set commenced, the Mystics jumped out to an early 2-0 lead as Cela MacLellan (Sydney, NS) had a strong kill, followed by an ace by Hannah Huntley (Truro, NS). As both teams traded leads throughout the set, the Hurricanes had a huge ace from Hannah Power (Corner Brook, NL) to give them a 15-13 lead. The Mystics responded with a five-point run to give them a 18-15 lead. During the run, Catherine MacPhail (Halifax, NS) had three consecutive kills for the Mystics. After a kill by Murphy that gave the Mystics a 23-20 lead, the Hurricanes responded with consecutive kills from Jamie Spencer (Fort Frances, ON) to tighten the Mystics lead to 23-22. With a 24-22, it was MacPhail who answered for the Mystics, giving them a second set victory with her seventh kill of the set. The Mystics took the set 25-22.
The Hurricanes entered the third set aggressively, as they gained an early 3-1 lead. Charlotte Sweetapple (Corner Brook, NL) opened the set with a kill, as Power followed with another ace for the Hurricanes. As the intensity increased throughout the set, both teams were not able to extend a lead larger than two points as the Hurricanes had the largest lead at 12-10. The Mystics would contest the Hurricanes' lead with a decisive kill from MacPhail, followed by kill by Ryan that was saved by a dig from Haylie Jackson (Fall River, NS) that levelled the set at 12-12. Both teams jockeyed to capture this important set and when Ryan had a kill to give the Mystics a 23-20 lead, the Hurricanes responded with two kills by Sweetapple to narrow the lead to 23-22 for the Mystics. Both teams traded unforced errors over the next section of the set to which the Mystics held a 26-25 lead when MacLellan closed out the match, capturing the set point with a powerful kill. The Mystics won the third set 27-25.
Stat Leaders for the Mystics:
Catherine MacPhail (Halifax, NS)- 14 kills, nine digs
McKenzie Antle (Bishops Falls, NL) - 35 assists
Sarah Ryan (Inverness, NS) - Four solo blocks
Stat Leaders for the Hurricanes:
Charlotte Sweetapple (Corner Brook, NL) - 14 kills
Hannah Power (Corner Brook, NL) - 32 assists
Jenna O'Neill (Cornwall, PE)- 14 digs
The Mystics moved to 6-3 and the Hurricanes fell to 5-5. The Mystics return to the court tomorrow when they face l'université de Sainte-Anne Dragons. Game time is at 12:00pm. The Hurricanes return to the court in the new year when they host the Dalhousie Rams on Saturday, January 11th. First serve is at 2:00pm.