Volleyball falls to Johnson in Cancer Awareness Game

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - In a match that was more back-and-forth than the end result would indicate, Union volleyball just couldn't get over the hump against Johnson (Tenn.) Tuesday night.

The Royals answered every Bulldog run and left Barbourville with an Appalachian Athletic Conference sweep, winning all three sets by an identical 25-22 score.

Regardless out the outcome, the game still had special significance, as it was the Bulldogs' annual Cheyenne Wise Childhood Cancer Awareness Game. The game is held to honor the memory the daughter of Bulldog Coach Jeremy Wise, who passed away at just three months old.

Union players wore special uniforms during the match, while a donation bucket was passed around the crowd between the second and third sets. The gym was also decorated with several signs dedicated to Cheyenne's memory.

As for the match itself, the Bulldogs came out strong, scoring five consecutive points after Johnson scored first. But the Royals responded with a 6-1 run, setting in motion a back-and-forth affair that would remain the rest of the night, as neither team ever led by more than five points.

A 15-15 match seemed to turn the Bulldogs' way as they built a 20-17 lead on a Royals attack error, only for Johnson to take control as a Sydney Smith kills and Marissa McMahon aced kick-started the run that put the opener away.

Union attempted to rally again after Johnson pulled ahead 22-17 in set two, closing the gap to 23-22, only for a Jensen Davis kill and an attack error to put Union within a set of elimination.

The Royals again took a five-point lead (20-15) in the third, and Union again stormed back. Emily Shumaker and Raquel Kessler kills were followed by a Haleigh Reisser ace and Union eventually pulled even for the first time in the set at 21.

Unfortunately, they were never able to take the lead. Johnson scored four of the final five points, three of them coming off Bulldog errors that ended a disappointing night.

"Tonight was supposed to be about family and fight. I didn't see it from our team," Coach Wise said. "Individuals can only win a few points but a team can do so much more to fix so much more."

Kessler was Union's top player at the net, recording 15 kills and four blocks. Reisser had 18 assists and Mikayla Phillips had 16 digs.

This was just the second time the Bulldogs lost a Cancer Awareness Game, entering the night 9-1. It was also their first loss to Johnson, who they beat twice in their first ever meetings a season ago.

Union (7-7, 3-3), will look to rebound against Montreat (N.C.) at 1 p.m. in Barbourville Saturday.