Volleyball spikes Wesleyan for second straight win

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - There was a very familiar feeling in the air at Robsion Arena Tuesday night, as Union welcomed Tennessee Wesleyan for an Appalachian Athletic Conference volleyball matchup.

Union trailed just once the entire match, topping their Bulldog counterparts for the 39th time in a row in a 25-14, 25-15, 25-16 win.

Fresh off a 22-kill, 20-dig showing in a win against Point (Ga.) on Saturday, Raquel Kessler came out scorching again Tuesday, recording six kills on her first seven attacks over the first two sets, where Wesleyan was never even able to tie the score beyond 0-0.

TWU briefly took it's first lead at 5-4 in the third set, but Kessler quickly put an end to that, recording a kill that kick-started an 8-0 run, as Union would lead the rest of the way to clinch the sweep.

Such dominance is par for the course in this matchup, as Union has never lost to Tennessee Wesleyan. In their 39 wins in the series since 2005, Union has won 30 by the final of 3-0 and has now won 17 consecutive sets against TWU at Robsion Arena.

Alison Smith led all players with 13 kills while Kessler was right behind with 11. Kaelyn Faul had 19 assists and two aces, while Maddy McGaughey (14), Faul (12) and Kessler (11) all had double-digit digs.

"Tonight our team played together offensively and defensively for the first time since a couple changes were made," Bulldog coach Jeremy Wise said. "It looked like the team we want it to be going into the back end of the season. We are hoping to carry this momentum into the coming games."

Union improves to 10-13 overall and 6-9 in the AAC. Tuesday marked just the second time the Bulldogs have won consecutive games during the 2022 season.

They will look to grab their first three-game streak of the season Friday. Union hosts AAC opponent Kentucky Christian at 4 p.m., then will square off against non-conference foe Asbury (Ky.) at 8 p.m.