Bluefield sweeps volleyball

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - Union couldn't finish off a tight first set, and Bluefield controlled the final two, sweeping the Bulldogs 25-23, 25-15, 25-17 in Appalachian Athletic Conference volleyball play at Robsion Arena Tuesday.

Union led by as many as four in the opening set and Bluefield didn't even hold a lead until a Carly Connor and Leslie Flores block put the Rams ahead 23-22. Union tied it back up on a kill by Jordan Kusan, but Bluefield scored the next two points, with Flores delivering the decisive point on a kill.

The Rams, who are now 11-3 in the AAC, had a much easier go of it in the final two sets. Three different Bluefield players had double-digit kills, many of them set up by Nayerly Jimenez, who had 33 assists.

Breakdowns in communications and hitting errors also doomed the Bulldogs, who fell to 8-12 overall and 4-8 in conference play.

Kaelyn Faul led the team with 12 assists and two service aces, while Maddy McGaughey had 11 digs.

Union looks to snap a five-game losing streak in a 6:30 p.m. matchup at Reinhardt (Ga.) on Friday.