Union Volleyball Defeats Bryan in Four Tight Sets

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – The Union Commonwealth University women's volleyball team (4-13, 4-3 AAC) defeated Bryan College (2-22, 1-7 AAC) in four close sets Tuesday night at Robsion Arena, winning 3-1.

The Bulldogs dropped the first set but bounced back to take the next three. Set scores were 27-29, 30-28, 25-21, 25-23.

Game Recap

Set 1: Bryan 29, Union Commonwealth 27
Bryan opened the match with a 6-0 run, forcing an early Union timeout. The Bulldogs cut the deficit to 9-7, but the Lions responded with a 5-1 run to extend their lead to 14-8. Union clawed back to within four at 16-12 and then took the lead with a 9-3 run, highlighted by service aces from Ginevra Girardo and Jersey Glass.

Up 21-19, Union couldn't hold the lead as Bryan surged back with a 4-0 run to go ahead 23-21. The teams battled to a 25-25 tie before Bryan claimed four of the final six points to take the opening set, 29-27.

Top Performers: Rylee Stookey led the Bulldogs with four kills, while Berkli Benefield followed with three kills and a block.

Set 2: Union Commonwealth 30, Bryan 28
The second set featured five lead changes as both teams traded points throughout. Union jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Bryan tied it at 3-3. From there, neither side could pull away, battling to a 28-28 tie. The Bulldogs came out on top, scoring the final two points to win 30-28 and even the match at one set apiece.

Top Performers: Stookey led Union with six kills, while Benefield added four kills and a block.

Set 3: Union Commonwealth 25, Bryan 21
Bryan took the first point of the set, but Union quickly tied it at 1-1. The Lions built a 6-2 lead before the Bulldogs fought back to even the score at 9-9. The teams stayed close until 16-16, when Union made a late push with a 6-3 run to go ahead 22-19. The Bulldogs closed strong, scoring three of the final five points to win the set 25-21 and take a 2-1 match lead.

Top Performers: Glass and Cynthia Davidson led the Bulldogs with three kills and a block each.

Set 4: Union Commonwealth 25, Bryan 23
Bryan opened the fourth set with a 4-1 lead before Union battled back to pull within one at 14-13. The Bulldogs then took control with an 8-3 run to go up 21-16. The Lions rallied with a 5-1 run to tie it at 22-22. With the score even at 23-23, Union finished strong, scoring the final two points to win 25-23 and seal the 3-1 match victory.

Top Performers: Stookey led with five kills, while Girardo and Benefield each added three.

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Up Next

Union returns to action Friday night with another home match against Truett McConnell. First serve is set for 6:30 p.m.