Mounties Rise in Rivalry Rematch, Feed Off White-Out Energy at McCormack

(Sackville, NB)

The Mount Allison Mounties delivered a statement performance on Friday afternoon, taking down longtime rivals UNB Saint John in four sets (25–14, 25–21, 15–25, 25–21) at a packed McCormack Gymnasium.

The matchup carried no shortage of meaning. These two programs met in last year's ACAA Championship Final, where the Mounties emerged victorious, and Friday's contest felt every bit like a playoff atmosphere. From first serve to match point, the gym was electric.

The White-Out theme set the tone early. Home supporters filled the stands dressed head-to-toe in white, perfectly matching the Mounties' white jerseys and creating a unified, high-energy backdrop that was impossible to miss, even for those tuning in on the ACAA broadcast. Fellow Mount Allison varsity athletes packed the gym as well, bringing relentless noise and energy that fueled the home side throughout the afternoon.

On the court, the Mounties came out composed and confident. They controlled the opening two sets with disciplined attacking and steady defense, building early leads and forcing UNBSJ to chase. After dropping the third set, Mount Allison responded exactly how a championship-caliber team does, with focus, urgency, and poise, closing out the fourth set to seal the rivalry win.

Offensively, the Mounties were led by a balanced attack. Mya Artibello posted a match-high 16 kills on an efficient .310 hitting percentage, while Chloe Palmer added 13 kills and strong work in the backcourt. Setter Ana McCain orchestrated the offense with 32 assists, keeping UNBSJ guessing and spreading the ball effectively across the net. Defensively, the Mounties were active all over the floor, finishing with 90 total digs as a team.

With the win, Mount Allison improves to 10–3 on the season and continues to show why they remain one of the top teams in the ACAA.

The action continues tomorrow at McCormack Gymnasium as the Mounties return to the court against Dalhousie Rams. First serve is set for 1:00 p.m., and fans are strongly encouraged to bring the same energy and support for another exciting afternoon of Mounties volleyball.

Courtesy of MTA Athletics