Box Score
MONTREAL -- Veteran Virginie Hebert of St. Donat, Que., registered a team-high 15 points as McGill came away wih a thrilling five set come from behind victory against visiting Laval in RSEQ volleyball action at Love Competition Hall, Friday.

The two teams had entered the contest tied atop the standings with identical unblemished 4-0 records and the decision marked only McGill's 13th lifetime regular-season victory ever against Laval, a perennial powerhouse that always seems to have McGill's number.

The Martlets won the first set 25-22 before dropping the next two 18-25 and 19-25. It was here where the Martlets of old would fold. Not this young scrappy group. They battled back, dominating the fourth set 25-17 and ultimately carried over the momentum to take the fifth and deciding set 15-10.
 
"We started really well but in the second set, we kind of stood around waiting to see what they were trying to do instead of imposing our game plan on them," said head coach Rachele Beliveau, who collectd her 469th win in 896 career matches at McGill. "But we were patient, kept fighting and came back very strong and maintained our momentum throughout.

"Everybody played really well, they all did a good job. We served really well and blocked much better than in the past against them, so that gave a huge advantage over Laval. It was a very good win but it's only one match and we will play them three more times this season. I believe that all of our games are going to be tight like that this season."

Hebert, a 5-foot-11 middle blocker, was a monster at the net with six blocks and four assisted blocks. The 23-year-old physical therapy senior also contributed seven kills and a half-dozen digs, .

Veteran Marie-Christine Lapointe of St. Jean sur Richelieu, Que. and super sophomore Ashley Norfleet of Brossard, Que. led the Martlets with 10 kills apiece. Lapointe added an ace with three stuff blocks and a 2.03 passing ratio, while Norfleet also had one block.

Genevieve Plante led the team in passing with a 2.57 ratio. Daphnee-Maude Andre-Morin passed for 2.32.
 
Marie-Pier Durivage of St. Nicholas, Que., played her first game against her former team since transfering from Laval, impressed with five kills, four aces and a pair of blocks. Teammate Catherine Amyot, a sophomore power-hitter from Ottawa, was credited with six kills, four aces and a block.
 
For the Rouge et Or, Sophie Dallaire led the way with 15.5 points on eight kills, five service aces and 2.5 blocks.

The Martlets now sit in a two-way tie atop the RSEQ standings with Montreal (5-0) and will hit the road next week to square off against Sherbrooke (3-2) and Laval, Nov. 8 and 10, respectively.