Tommies Bounce back With 3-0 Win Over Dragons

Fredericton, NB – The St. Thomas University Tommies defeated the Universite Sainte-Anne Dragons 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-23) Saturday night at the Lady Beaverbrook Gymnasium.

The Tommies jumped out to an early lead on the Dragons, which was exactly what head coach Henri Mallet wanted to see from his team following a season opening loss in five sets to the UNBSJ Seawolves.

"I thought we started really strong and played a really clean first set," said Mallet following the match.

Reigning ACAA Rookie of the Year, Henry Doucet, had a strong showing for the Tommies on the night, finishing with 27 assists.

"Henry was on today," said Mallet about his second-year setter. "I thought he wanted a redo after the first match against SJ, and I thought he played much better. He was setting the sets we were looking for."

Never a team to quit, the Dragons narrowed the gap in each of the sets and almost kept the match going in the third set.

"They played tough and that's what they are," said Mallet about the Dragons. "Doesn't matter if they are down, they just keep coming at you. Obviously with Jacques on the floor, who is one of the better players in the league, you can't take your foot off the gas and that's what we did a bit and it almost cost us in the third set."

Jacques would finish with a game high 14 kills. Rookie Dallas Melnick paved the Tommies with 11 kills.

The Tommies move to 1-1 on the season, while the Dragons fall to 2-1. These two teams will face off once again on Sunday at The Pit, with opening serve scheduled for 12:00pm.