Union falls at Bluefield in five sets; Kessler records 23 kills

Bluefield, Va. – Union was looking to pick up an impressive win at Bluefield on Tuesday. The Bulldogs won two long sets, but ultimately fell to the Rams in five.

Bluefield held a 14-9 lead in the first set, but the Bulldogs managed to tie the score at 21-21. With the set tied 28-28, Union senior Raquel Kessler registered back-to-back kills to give Union a 30-28 win in the opening set.

The Rams won the second and third sets, but Union took control of the fourth set by starting with an 11-3 run. Bluefield managed to tie the score at 24-24, but the Bulldogs won the set 31-29. Union tallied 21 kills in the set.

Union registered the opening point of the fifth set with a kill by Jasmine Porter, but Bluefield won the set 15-9 for a 3-2 victory (28-30, 25-18, 25-16, 29-31, 15-9).

Kessler tallied 23 kills in the matchup, while Emily Shumaker recorded 15 and Michaela Cox totaled 10. Porter registered eight kills. Nicole Almestica recorded a team-leading 25 digs, while Sarah Charkosky and Maddy McGaughey each led the team in assists with 26.

The Bulldogs are now 7-14 (7-6 AAC) this season, while Bluefield is 13-10 (8-5 AAC). Up next for Union is a home conference game against Reinhardt on Friday, Oct. 13, at 6:30 p.m.