Union wins in five sets at Johnson; Kessler records 23 kills

Knoxville, Tenn. – The Union College volleyball team picked up an impressive victory on Tuesday night at Johnson. Union was faced with a tough opponent and an energetic home crowd, but the Bulldogs fought hard and got the win.

Union got out to an early lead in the opening set. The Bulldogs closed the set on an 11-3 run that was concluded with a kill by Raquel Kessler. Union won the last five points of the set. The Bulldogs led throughout the entire first set.

Johnson took a 6-1 lead in the second set. The Bulldogs trimmed the lead to 14-12, while recording seven kills in that stretch. However, Johnson was able to extend its lead as the set progressed as the Royals won set two 25-18.

The Bulldogs trailed 16-9 in the third set, but Union went on to outscore Johnson 17-8. In that stretch, the Bulldogs recorded 10 kills. The third set was won by Union 26-24.

Johnson took the fourth set 25-20, but the Bulldogs were dominant in the fifth set as they got out to an 11-3 lead. The Bulldogs won the fifth set 15-9. Union won the game 3-2 (25-13, 18-25, 26-24, 20-25, 15-9).

Kessler led the Bulldogs in kills with 23. She registered a .442% kill percentage. Kessler was one of three Union players to record double digit kills as Emily Shumaker tallied 11 and Michaela Cox registered 10. As a team, Union totaled 59 kills.

Union registered 86 digs. Nicole Almestica tallied 22, while Maddy McGaughey recorded 19 and Lara Gomes De Castro tallied 11. McGaughey and Abigail Erby combined to record 51 assists.

The Bulldogs are now 4-10 (4-2 AAC), while Johnson is 7-4 (1-4 AAC). Up next for Union is a conference road game against Pikeville on Saturday, Sept. 23, at 1:00 p.m.