Mystics fall to the Mounties in five-set battle

(Halifax, NS) The Mount Allison Mounties extended their win streak to twelve games as they defeated the Mount Saint Vincent Mystics in five sets 22-25, 25-14, 19-25, 25-16, 15-9 at the A. Garnet Brown Memorial Gymnasium. 

As the first set started, both teams looked to gain the early lead, and it was the Mystics that struck first this afternoon. As the set was tied at 4, the Mystics went on a four-point run capped off by a kill by Hannah Huntley (Truro, NS) to give the Mystics an early 8-4 lead. The Mounties would respond to the early run, as they recorded a kill from Julia Henry (Red Point, PE) and an ace by Chloe Palmer (Aylesford, NS) to lessen the Mystics lead to 9-7. A few points later, The Mounties would add to their run with consecutive kills by Marie Fogarty (Charlottetown, PE) and Emma Burns (Fredericton, NB) to cut the Mystics lead to 10-9. The Mounties were able to tie the set up at 11 when they recorded back-to-back kills from Burns and Erica Astephen (Halifax, NS). As the set moved on, the teams would exchange points back and forth. With the set tied at 19-19, the Mounties would gain a two point lead late in the set, as they led 21-19, highlighted by two straight kills from Burns and Astephen. The Mystics were forced to call a timeout to regain their focus, in hope of winning the first set. The Mystics were able to tie the set at 21, and they would proceed to have two crucial plays from McKenzie Antle (Bishops Falls, NL) as she had a timely kill and an ace to give the Mystics a 23-21 lead. The Mounties were not able to make a dent late in the set, as the Mystics would capture the first set victory by a score of 25-22.

The Mounties came out strong to start the second set, as they jumped out to an early 4-1 lead, with a kill from Ana McCain (Fredericton, NB). The Mystics would counter the early flurry from the Mounties, as they were able to tie the set up at 4 with a decisive kill from Catherine MacPhail (Halifax, NS). The Mounties were quick to respond to the Mystics' attack as they were able to gain a set lead as the Mystics had various technical errors throughout the set. As the Mounties held a 16-9, they were able to extend their lead to 19-9, capped off by consecutive kills by Burns, followed by an ace by Fogarty. The Mounties held serve for the duration of the set, closing out the Mystics to take the set victory by a score of 25-14. 

As the third set commenced, the Mounties gained early control with a 7-5 lead, highlighted by a kill by Fogarty. The Mystics would respond with a seven-point run. During the run, MacPhail had two vital kills and Huntley had a huge ace for the Mystics, which would give them a 12-7 lead, causing the Mounties to call a timeout to regroup. The Mystics continue to control the set, controlling a 16-11 lead when Sarah Ryan (Inverness, NS) had back-to-back blocks to extend their lead to 18-11. As the Mystics looked to extend their lead in the set, the Mounties would respond with a late surge when they trailed 23-14. The Mounties would have a timely kill from Logan Tait (Saint John, NB) and another ace from Burns to cut the lead to 23-16. The Mystics would respond to the Mounties by closing out the set 25-19 to give them a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth set. 

The Mystics looked to close out the Mounties in the fourth set as they took the narrow 4-3 lead, capped off by consecutive kills by MacPhail and Huntley. The Mounties would respond with a crucial six-point run to give them a 10-7 lead, highlighted by an ace by Fogarty and a kill by Mya Artibello (Antigonish, NS). As the teams traded points through the set, the Mounties would go on another run, this time it was a four-point run, with kills from Palmer and Fogarty, giving the Mounties a 17-12 lead. The Mystics were unable to close the gap as the Mounties would close out the Mystics to win the set, forcing a fifth and decisive set with a score of 25-16. 

As the final set started, the Mounties took the early lead as Sarah Mason (Fredericton, NB) had consecutive aces to jump out to a 4-1 lead. The Mystics would respond as MacPhail had three kills over the next four points to close the gap to 4-3 for the Mounties. As the game was tied at 5, the Mounties would take another set lead as they had a timely kill from Fogarty. The Mounties would extend their lead to 9-6, MacLellan would respond with a crucial kill for the Mystics to cut the lead to 9-7 for the Mounties. The Mounties would continue to control the final set, as they extended their lead to 13-9. They closed out the Mystics with an ace from Astephen, followed by a kill by Palmer to win the set, and win the match 3 sets to 2.

Stat Leaders for the Mystics

Catherine MacPhail - 17 kills, 13 digs
McKenzie Antle - 31 assists
Sarah Ryan - 3 blocks

Stat Leaders for the Mounties

Erica Astephen - 14 kills
Logan Tait - 48 assists, 8 digs
Emma Burns - 13 kills, 9 digs

The Mystics dropped to 9-4, they will return to the court next week when they host the St. Thomas Tommies on Saturday, January 25th at 2:00pm in Halifax. The Mounties moved to 12-1, they return to Sackville tomorrow, where they will host the visiting Dalhousie Rams at 2:00pm.