Union volleyball defeats Bluefield to remain undefeated at home this season

Barbourville, Ky. – The Union College volleyball team hosted Bluefield on Tuesday, Sept. 26, in a conference matchup. The Bulldogs picked up the win in five sets. It marks Union's third win out of its past four games dating back to a 3-0 win at Columbia (SC) on Sept. 16.

After falling short in the first set, the Bulldogs tallied nine kills and a 25-16 win in the second set. Union trailed 13-5 in the third set, but the Bulldogs went on a 13-1 run to take an 18-14 lead. The Bulldogs went on to win the third set 25-21.

Union registered 11 kills in the fourth set. The score was tied 20-20 towards the end of the set, but Bluefield went on to win the set 25-21.

The Bulldogs trailed 9-5 in the fifth set, but scored the next four points to tie the set at 9-9. The score was tied 14-14 later in the set, but Michaela Cox recorded back-to-back kills to give Union the win. The Bulldogs won 3-2 (20-25, 25-16, 25-21, 21-25, 16-14.)

Union's Raquel Kessler led the team in kills with 14, while Jasmine Porter registered 10 and Emily Shumaker tallied nine.

Shumaker, Lara Gomes De Castro Abigail Erby, Jenna Grayson, Maddy McGaughey, and Nicole Almestica combined to register 53 digs as they each recorded at least seven. Kessler led the team in solo blocks with five, while Maddie Tackett tallied two.

"Tonight took a while longer than we wanted it to, but we finished with the fight and fortitude we have been finding at home," head coach Jeremy Wise said.

The Bulldogs are now 5-11 (5-3 AAC) this season, while Bluefield is 8-8 (4-4 AAC). Up next for Union is a home conference matchup against St. Andrews on Friday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 p.m.