Union Volleyball Completes Season Sweep of Bryan

DAYTON, Tenn. – Union Commonwealth University's volleyball team (9-16, 9-6 AAC) defeated Bryan (2-31, 1-14 AAC) Tuesday night.

The Bulldogs defeated Bryan earlier this season on Oct. 7 at Robsion Arena, 3-1. This time, Union earned the win in five sets, 3-2. The scores were 30-28, 25-22, 25-14, 26-24 and 15-10.

Game Recap

Set 1: Union Commonwealth 30, Bryan 28
Bryan got on the board first in the opening set, but Union quickly answered with a 5-2 run. The Lions responded with a 5-0 run to take the lead at 7-5. The Bulldogs answered again with a 6-0 run, going up 11-7. Union maintained a four-point lead until 18-14, but Bryan's 5-1 run tied the set at 19-19. The teams traded points until it was 28-28, when Union closed the set with two straight kills from Rylee Stookey and Ginevra Girardo.

Top performers: Stookey led the team with five kills, while Emily Shumaker followed with four. Berkli Benefield added two kills and three blocks.

Set 2: Bryan 25, Union Commonwealth 22
Bryan started strong, taking a 9-3 lead. Union cut the deficit to one at 11-10 and later tied it at 13-13. The set remained close until 16-16, when the Bulldogs scored twice before the Lions regained control with a 4-0 run to make it 20-18. Union tied it again at 21-21, but Bryan closed out the set 25-22 to even the match at 1-1.

Top performers: Jersey Glass led with four kills and three blocks. Benefield followed with three kills and two blocks, while Stookey added two kills and three blocks.

Set 3: Union Commonwealth 25, Bryan 14
Union opened the third set on a 4-1 run before Bryan tied it at 5-5. After another tie at 7-7, the Bulldogs took control with a 5-0 run and never looked back, extending their lead to 11 points. Union won the set 25-14 to go up 2-1 in the match.

Top performers: Shumaker led with six kills, while Girardo added four.

Set 4: Bryan 26, Union Commonwealth 24
Bryan jumped out to a 6-2 lead before Union tied it at 7-7. The Bulldogs built a 14-10 advantage, but Bryan rallied to even the score at 17-17. Union responded with a 5-2 run to make it 22-19, but Bryan tied it again at 23-23 and held on to win 26-24, forcing a fifth set.

Top performers: Glass led with four kills, two blocks and one assist. Benefield and Stookey each added two kills and two blocks.

Set 5: Union Commonwealth 15, Bryan 10
Union took an early 5-4 lead in the decisive set, then went on a 9-1 run to make it 14-5. Bryan fought back with a 5-0 run, but Union secured the final point to win the set 15-10 and the match 3-2.

Top performers: Girardo, Glass and Shumaker each recorded two kills.

Sloan Coursey had a double-dounle with 30 assists and 12 digs. 

By the Numbers

• Shumaker led in kills with 17.

• Coursey led in assists with 30.

• Sydney Worde led in digs with 20.

• Benefield, Glass and Stookey each led in blocks with six.

Up Next
The Bulldogs hit the road for their final regular-season away match against Milligan on Friday, Oct. 31, at 6:30 p.m. inside the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse in Johnson City, Tenn.