Union Volleyball Closes Out Regular Season with Sweep of Bluefield
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bluefield (VA) (11-13, 7-12) | 19 | 28 | 24 | 0 |
|
Union Commonwealth (11-8, 11-18) | 25 | 30 | 26 | 3 |
BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – Union Commonwealth University's women's volleyball team (11-18, 11-8 AAC) closed out the regular season with a sweep of Bluefield (17-12, 14-4 AAC) Friday afternoon at Robsion Arena, 3-0.
Earlier this season, the Bulldogs defeated the Rams in a tight five-set match at the Dome Gymnasium. This time, Union needed just three sets, winning 25-19, 30-28 and 26-24.
Game Recap
Set 1: Union Commonwealth 25, Bluefield 19
Union opened strong with a 4-1 start and extended its lead to 11-5. Bluefield trimmed the margin to two at 15-13 and again at 19-17, but the Bulldogs closed the set on a 6-2 run, capped by a kill from Rylee Stookey, to win 25-19.
Top Performers: Emily Shumaker led with four kills, while Berkli Benefield added three kills and a block.
Set 2: Union Commonwealth 30, Bluefield 28
The second set stayed close early at 3-3 before Union went on a 3-0 run to go up 6-3. Bluefield tied it at 7-7 and again at 11-11, but the Bulldogs answered with a 4-0 stretch to make it 14-11. The Rams battled back to even the score at 20-20, and both teams traded points down the stretch. Union ultimately pulled through after a kill and block by Ginevra Girardo, taking the set 30-28 and a 2-0 match lead.
Top Performers: Shumaker recorded three kills and a block, while Benefield added three kills.
Set 3: Union Commonwealth 26, Bluefield 24
The third set remained even early, with the teams tied at 11-11 and again at 16-16. After trading 4-1 runs, Union gained a 3-0 burst to go up 21-18. Bluefield tied it once more at 24-24, but the Bulldogs secured the final two points to close out the match 26-24 and win the game 3-0.
Top Performers: Shumaker paced the Bulldogs with six kills and a block. Benefield followed with four kills and a block.
By the Numbers
Kills: Shumaker – 12
Assists: Sarah Charkosky – 22
Blocks: Jersey Glass – 5
Digs: Glass – 14
To see the Baymont Inn Player of the Game, click here.
Up Next
Union will compete in the AAC Volleyball Tournament, set for Nov. 13-15.
