Tigers capture fourth straight AUS Championship

The women’s V-ball Tigers won their fourth consecutive AUS championship with a 3-1 (25-16, 25-15, 21-25, 25-17) victory over the Memorial Sea-Hawks on Sunday Feb. 28 in Wolfville, N.S.

The Tigers beat the SMU Huskies on Saturday, Feb. 27 3-0 (25-10, 25-18, 25-18) to make it to the Sunday final.

The first set of the final against the Seahawks started with the two sides exchanging points. The set was close at 9-8 Tigers before the Tigers started to take control.

2015-16 second team AUS all-star Mieke Dumont picked up a kill for the Tigers to make it 10-8. The Tigers went on to stretch their lead to 19-11 after 2015-16 first team all-star Abby Czenze made a service ace. 2015-16 AUS all-rookie team member Courtney Baker picked up a kill to make it 20-13. Czenze finished off the first set with a kill as the Tigers took the first 25-16.

The Tigers continued their strong play in the second set. 2015-16 first team all-star Jessica Josenhans picked up a kill for the Tigers first point of the set at 1-1. Fellow 2015-16 first team AUS all-star Anna Dunn-Suen made a kill of her own for the Tigers next point and a 2-2 score. With the score tied at 8-8 Victoria Haworth hit a kill followed by another Dunn-Suen Kill to make it 10-8 and the Tigers were out in front for the rest of the set. After the Sea-Hawks made it 20-15 the Tigers went on a five-point run to close out the second, capped by a service ace from Dumont.

The Sea-Hawks rallied in the third set with their season on the line. They were able to build a lead at 9-13. The Tigers fought back to take the lead 20-19 with a Haworth kill. From there the Tigers made several errors as the Sea-Hawks took the third set 21-25.

With their eye on the championship, the Tigers started the fourth set hot with a 6-0 run. They carried that early momentum through the rest of the set. Stretching the lead to eight at 12-4. They lead by at least five for the rest of the way. A kill from Dumont iced the set at 25-17 and the match at 3-1 giving the Tigers their fourth consecutive AUS championship.

Dunn-Suen led the Tigers attack with 14K on the match. Dumont finished with 8K, Baker and Haworth each had 7K, Josenhans chipped in with 5K, Czenze with 4K and Emma Ciprick had 1K. Czenze facilitated the offence with 32A. 2015-16 first team AUS all-star Marisa Mota led the Tigers with 21DIGS.

The Tigers will represent the AUS at the CIS championships in Brandon Man. March 11-13.