Bulldogs reverse sweep Knights, drop thriller vs. Patriots

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - It's rare for teams that fall behind two-sets-to-none to be able to say they have an opponent right where they want them, but for Union volleyball in the last week, that appears to be the case.

After dropping the first two sets, the Bulldogs rallied for a reverse sweep, charging past Kentucky Christian 22-25, 16-25, 25-20, 25-15, 15-7 to earn a third-consecutive Appalachian Athletic Conference win.

Union also rallied for an exhilarating third-set win after dropping the first two in a non-conference match against Cumberlands (Ky.) later in the evening before eventually falling 25-15, 25-18, 25-27, 25-17.

The Knights, who were just 1-8 all-time against Union coming in, seemed in line to earn their first ever win in Barbourville. After closing the first set on 10-3 run, they looked primed for an easy victory after dominating the second start to finish.

But after scoring the first point of the third set, the Knights wouldn't lead again. Union immediately put together a 6-0 surge, led by as many as eight and put the set away when Emily Shumaker recorded a kill that halted a Knight rally that got them within 21-19.

The fourth set was more of the same. Union jumped ahead 7-2, then after the Knights got within 8-6, outscored them 17-9 the rest of the way, forcing a fifth set on another Shumaker kill.

Momentum stayed on Union's side in set five, opening up a 6-1 lead after Raquel Kessler had a kill and service ace on back-to-back points and Shumaker, once again, ended things with a kill, her 15h of the night.

This marked the second time in six days Union beat an AAC opponent after dropping the first two sets, also doing so a week ago against Point (Ga.). It was their third such victory of the season.

Though Shumaker was arguably the most clutch, she wasn't the Bulldogs' most prolific attacker. That honor went to Alison Smith, who led all players with 19 kills.

As was the case against Point, balanced passing played a key role in Union's success as Kaelyn Faul (25) and Jordan Kusan (21) both topped 20 kills, lifting Union to 7-9 in conference play.

Nothing in the opening match rally compared to the third set against the Patriots. Union led by as much as 17-11, but appeared to be sunk when Cumberlands rallied to go up 23-21 on an Anna Blumeier kill.

But Kessler took over, recording back-to-back kills to tie the game, then another to put Union ahead 25-24. The Patriots responded but Madison Jennings and Michaela Cox then completed the rally to keep the Bulldogs alive, getting back-to-back kills to secure the winning points.

Things appeared to carry over to the fourth set as Union jumped out to a 6-3 lead, but a series of attack errors and miscommunications proved too much to overcome as Cumberlands eventually put it away.

The backline was particularly impressive against the Patriots. Mikayla Phillips had 19 of the Bulldogs' 83 digs, as a string of scrappy plays kept many points alive in the winning third set.

Now 11-14 overall, the Bulldogs get very little rest, as they are back at Robsion Arena for another non-conference matchup with Asbury (Ky.) at 2 p.m. Saturday.