Double the Glory: SMU Women’s Huskies Dominate Basketball and Volleyball

Written by Keyara Nelson

Thumbnail and Banner Photo by Eduardo Ibarra at SMU Athletics


Saint Mary’s University (SMU) is celebrating not one, but two monumental victories in the Atlantic University Sports (AUS) league this year, earned through the determination and grit of the Women’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball teams. The basketball team went back-to-back-to-back and captured their third consecutive AUS title, solidifying their dominance, while the volleyball team ended a 13-year championship drought, marking a triumphant return to the top. Through months of training and unwavering teamwork, both teams have showcased the championship mindset that defines Huskies athletics. Each team represented the Husky logo remarkably at their respective U SPORTS Championship Tournaments, displaying the talent, resilience, and determination of SMU’s student-athletes.


Basketballs’ Three-peat

The SMU Women’s Basketball team continued their reign over the AUS, defeating the UPEI Panthers 68-53 at the Scotiabank Centre. This comes after an incredible year for the team, entering the play-off season with an 18-2 record in the regular season. This victory not only marks a historic achievement for the program but also places them among the elite in Canadian university basketball. The Huskies are the first AUS women's basketball program to claim the AUS title for three consecutive years, following in the footsteps of their predecessors who won four straight titles from 2013 to 2016. During the final game, Lucina Beaumont - Huskies forward and AUS Second Team All-Star - scored 19 points and 11 rebounds. She was named Subway Player of the Game, and, in her post-game interview, shared her deep appreciation for her team's effort and enthusiasm for the upcoming U SPORTS Championships. Clara Gascoigne, a First Team All-Canadian and U SPORTS Defensive Player of the Year, was another key player for the Huskies play-off success. Gascoigne finished the game with 18 points, five assists, and two steals, and was named the 2025 Bell AUS Women's Basketball Championship Most Valuable Player. Both Gascoigne and Beaumont were named Tournament All-Stars, and with the invaluable contributions of every single teammate, they led the Huskies to a historic three-peat. With their third straight title, the Huskies have firmly established themselves as a dominant force in AUS basketball.

Volleyball’s Long-Awaited Triumph

While the basketball team’s victory was a continuation of their dominance, the SMU Women’s Volleyball team’s championship was a long-awaited return to glory. The Huskies clinched their first AUS title since 2012 with a commanding sweep over the Memorial Sea-Hawks on home court. They defeated the opposing team in three straight sets (25-21, 25-16, 25-11), leading off a very dominant regular-season where the Huskies had a record of 14-6. Emilia Mikanovich was a standout throughout the championship series, earning the title of Playoff Most Valuable Player, which added to her regular-season AUS Most Valuable Player honor and First Team All-Star. The Huskies took control of the game with strong serving runs from Alena Piatukhova and Mikanovich, along with precise setting from AUS Rookie of the Year Grace Blaskovits. A decisive block from Mikanovich and Anna Liniewski sealed the title, and Piatukhova earned Player of the Game, delivering a standout performance with nine points, including five kills, four blocks, two service aces, and two assists. Both the Memorial Sea-Hawks and the SMU Huskies represented AUS at the U SPORTS National Championship tournament for the second consecutive time, continuing a strong legacy for both programs.


The National Stage

At the U SPORTS National Championship tournament, the basketball team battled against the nation’s best, coming close in multiple games ensuring every team understood their strength and grit. In a hard-fought opening matchup, the Huskies battled to the final buzzer but fell just five points short against the UBC Thunderbirds, closing the game with a 55-50 defeat. The next game was another tight one against the Alberta Pandas, with the game being tied 57-57 with 5:36 left in the fourth. Unfortunately, the following minutes turned in favour of the Pandas, and the final score was 68-61 for Alberta. Saint Mary’s caps off an impressive season with an AUS championship and a stellar  25-5 record against U SPORTS competition, proving once again that they are a powerhouse in Canadian university basketball.

The volleyball team proved that their long-awaited championship was just the beginning of their resurgence on the national stage, giving a hard fight against the Manitoba Bisons in their first game. However, the Bisons came swinging and defeated the Huskies 3-0  (25-22, 25-18, 25-17); the Bisons would go on to win the entire championship, their first national title in 11 years. The next game was a  Battle of the Huskies, as SMU took on the Saskatchewan Huskies and came out on top 3-1 (25-19, 14-25, 25-18, 26-24).  Led by Mikanovich’s 17 kills and 11 digs, the Huskies captured the consolation semifinal to move on into the consolation final. Breanna Golding added 11 kills and 8 digs, while Grace Blaskovits contributed 30 assists and 11 digs. In their third game, the Huskies battled back and forth with the McMaster Marauders for 5th place but unfortunately came up just short after losing their final game 3-2 (21-25, 25-23, 14-25, 25-18, 15-6). Though they fell just short in their final match, the Huskies’ strong showing at Nationals solidified their place among the country’s top programs. 


Lasting Legacy

The 2024-25 season will be remembered as a defining moment for Saint Mary’s women’s athletics. During the year that SMU celebrates 50 years of women in varsity sport, the double championships could not have come at a more significant time. With the basketball team cementing their dynasty and the volleyball team reclaiming their championship status, SMU has proven that perseverance, teamwork, and an unrelenting drive are at the core of our programs. Their AUS titles were not just trophies, they were testaments to the countless hours of dedication, the sacrifices made, and the unbreakable bond within each team. As the Huskies look ahead to the future, their championship banners will serve as reminders of what is possible. It is exciting to look forward to the next season, and if both teams will be able to continue their dominance in the AUS. The legacy of this season will inspire the next generation of SMU athletes, demonstrating that greatness isn’t just achieved - it is earned.

Jacob Butler