Union Volleyball Falls to Carolina (N.C.) in Four Sets

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - The Union Commonwealth University volleyball team (0-5) continued their losing streak Friday evening by falling to Carolina (N.C.) (1-0) in the Cumberlands Invitational.

The Bulldogs would win one of the four sets against the Bruins. The final score was 3-1 (16-25, 17-25, 25-16, 21-25)

Set 1 (Carolina 25, Union Commonwealth 16)

The Bulldogs started the game off strong with a 2-0 lead. The Bruins responded with a run of their own, scoring five unanswered points, making the score 5-2. Both teams would trade points until the score reached 14-13, Union was now only down by one. Carolina made sure to finish the set, going on an 11-3 run, winning the set 25-16. Carolina's Britney Comolli and Jordan Connolly would lead the Bruins' run with five combined kills.

Set 2 (Carolina 25, Union Commonwealth 17)

The second set would start off very fast for Carolina. They went on a 15-3 run to start it. Union would respond, going on an 8-3 running, bringing the score to 18-11, but would fall short as both teams would trade points until the Bruins won the set 25-17.

Set 3 (Union Commonwealth 25, Carolina 16)

Carolina looked to take a quick lead in the third set, starting it off by going on a 6-2 run. Union fought back to take the lead as they went on a 13-4 run, making the score 15-10. The run was highlighted by two aces from Ginevra Girardo and two kills from Berkli Benefield. Both teams would trade points until the Bulldogs lead 22-16. Union would score three straight points to win the set 25-16. Gabrielly Dos Santos and Axelle Allais Nobles held strong on with their blocking and attacking, as both of them would help Union score their final points. 

Set 4 (Carolina 25, Union Commonwealth 21)

Union was down two sets to one in the game. Attempting to change that, they started off the game fast on a 6-1 run. The Bruins didn't go away, as they went on a 9-4 run, tying the game up at 10-10. Emily Shumaker would have two kills in the Bulldog's next 6-3 run, making the score 16-13 Bulldogs. However, the lead wouldn't last as the Bruins finished the game on a 12-5 run, giving them the 25-21 win. The Bruins would win the game 3-1.

Benefield would lead the team with 11 kills. Shumaker and Rylee Stookey would follow behind her with 10 kills each.

Up next, the Bulldogs will take on a doubleheader in day two of the Cumberlands Invitational tomorrow. They will play Montana Tech at 3 p.m. and Cumberlands (Ky.) at 5 p.m.