Union Volleyball goes undefeated in the Interleague Challenge

SCHENECTADY, NY - The Union College Volleyball Team close out the weekend undefeated, conquering Hartwick 3-1 and shutting out Lasell 3-0.  The Dutchwomen are one of two teams to win all four scheduled matches, earning second place in the Interleague Challenge.  Skidmore received the top spot after a tie-breaker.  Union shut down the Lasers in three sets with scores of 25-13, 25-18, and 25-22.  The battle against the Hawks proved to be challenging, but the squad powered through to win with scores of 25-21, 25-17, 16-25 and 25-15.

Against Hartwick, the Dutchwomen seemed to have a leg up in the first two sets.  Sophomore Marissa Vollmer had an outstanding defensive game, leading the team with 19 digs.  She set the tempo of the game on the very first serve, diving and sacrificing her body to earn a one-arm dig.  Seniors Eve Richards and Mary Foley also stood tough, pairing together several times to earn block assists.  Richards had 12 kills on the match, as well as 13 digs.

Sophomore Casey Tepper flourished against the Hawks, leading the team with 13 kills, tallying 15 digs and recording three service aces.  Tepper had several game-making plays in the first two sets, including a sneak tip over the net for the 24th point off of a diving dig from Foley.  The outside hitter also scored the 25th point of the second set on a powerful kill.  At the end of the tournament, Tepper was named to the All-Tournament Team.

Hartwick had a momentum surge in the third set, racking up a 12-22 lead at one point.  Junior Shannon McGee was a solid server for the Hawks, as was sophomore Britney Lintner.  Lintner also capitalized on Union's mistakes using her quick reflexes and impressive digging skills.  However, the Dutchwomen took back over in the fourth and final set.  Freshman Claire Kokoska and junior Nora Wood greatly contributed offensively, as did sophomore Mackenzie Westfall who had 26 assists against the Hawks.

The Dutchwomen managed to shut out the Lasers with help from Tepper, who led with 16 kills and a .519 hitting percentage.  Richards, who was named the Tournament MVP, had 15 kills and hit .448.  Junior Kim Armstrong stepped in to set for the Dutchwomen, tallying 34 assists and leading in digs with nine.  Sophomore Kelly Sheehan, who performed very well defensively, recorded seven digs.

Union is now 15-9 on the season, and is currently on their longest winning streak of the year with six games.  The Interleague Challenge is also the first tournament of the season where the Dutchwomen have gone undefeated.  The squad is set to participate in the Rochester Institute of Technology Tournament next weekend, October 14th and 15th.  They open play against Bard at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, before taking on the hosting team at 7:30 p.m.