Mystics defeat Rams in five-set thriller
Mystics extend their win streak to nine games after they defeated the visiting Rams.
(Halifax, NS) The Mount Saint Vincent Mystics defeated the Dalhousie Rams in five sets 25-18, 21-25, 25-16, 22-25, 15-13 at the A. Garnet Brown Memorial Gymnasium.
The Rams jumped out to an early 3-1 lead thanks to consecutive kills by Megan McCoombs (George Town, Cayman Islands) and Callie Immerkar (Swan River, MB). The Rams offence continue to their early pressure as they jumped out to a 6-3 which forced the Mystics to call a timeout. The Mystics regrouped with a four-point streak highlight by a strong kill by Sarah Ryan (Inverness, NS) that gave them a 7-6 lead. Midway through the set, the Mystics won a point after a long rally when Catherine MacPhail (Halifax, NS) had a crucial kill to give the Mystics a 12-8 lead. As the set processed, the Rams were not able to close the lead and the Mystics won the set 25-18.
As the second set started, the Mystics had an impact block from Ryan, followed by an ace by Cela MacLellan (Sydney, NS) to give them an early 3-1 lead. The Rams battled back into the set, highlighted by a kill by Zoe Erickson (Fort McMurray, AB) to give the Rams a 7-6 lead. The Mystics answered the Rams' surge with another kill from MacLellan and an ace by Hailey Nason (Nackiwac, NB) to give them a narrow 8-7 lead midway through the set. The Rams gained the momentum towards the end of the set when Ashley Rideout (Conception Bay South, NL) gave them a 20-19 edge over the Mystics. The Rams were able to hold their lead for the remainder of the set, winning 25-21.
Both teams entered the third set, looking to capture the momentum in their attempts to win the set. The Mystics struck first with a flurry of points, as they claimed a 7-2 lead, highlighted by a Nason kill. The Rams responded to the Mystics' early lead by narrowing the gap to 10-7 as Rideout had another kill. MacPhail and Ryan had vital kills for the Mystics to extend their lead to 15-8. The Rams answered their run with a run of their own. Capped off by three consecutive kills by Payton Hannon (Bishop's Falls, NFLD), Ella Dyck (Winnipeg, MB) and Erickson to lessen the gap to 17-15 for the Mystics. As the set continued, the Mystics were too powerful for the Rams, as they closed out the set by winning the final five points. Nason had a kill and won the set with closing ace to claim the set 25-16.
As the fourth set commenced, The Mystics looked to close out the Rams, as they took an 7-5 lead as Hannah Huntley (Truro, NS) had a decisive kill. As the Mystics continued to extend their lead in the set to 20-13, it looked like the Mystics were going to close out the Rams, but the Rams would have a timely eight-point run where they would retake the narrow lead at 21-20 late in the fourth set. The run was highlighted by two kills from Erickson and another by Immerkar. The Rams were able to win the set 25-22 extending the match into a final set.
The Mystics started the final set with a kill by MacLellan and Ryan to give them a narrow 2-1 lead. As both teams traded points throughout the nerve-racking set, both teams were looking to close the match out. The Mystics were able to extend their lead to 8-6 as Nason had another ace. The Rams would respond to this with a Megan McCoombs kill to tie the set at 8. Hannon would give the Rams 10-9 lead as she had another kill. As the set continued, the Mystics responded to the Rams' attack with a McPhail kill that kept the Mystics at bay, while Ryan was able to give the Mystics a 12-11 lead with a massive kill which switched the momentum back to the Mystics. The Mystics were able to close out the Rams and win the final set 15-13.
Stat Leaders for the Mystics
Catherine MacPhail - 19 kills, 12 digs
McKenzie Antle - 50 assists
Hannah Huntley - 29 digs, 15 kills
Stat Leaders for the Rams
Callie Immerkar - 19 kills, 14 digs
Catherine Wilkie (Fall River, NS) - 38 assists
Maryn McCoombs (George Town, Cayman Islands) - 24 digs
The Mystics move to 9-3, they return to the court tomorrow when they host the Mount Allison Mounties at 3:00pm. The Rams fall to 6-7, they return to the court as they travel to Sackville this Sunday to face the Mount Allison Mounties.