Union Volleyball Sweeps Truett McConnell in Three Sets

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – The Union Commonwealth University women's volleyball team (5-13, 5-3 AAC) defeated Truett McConnell (10-11, 3-6 AAC) on Friday night at Robsion Arena in straight sets, 3-0.

This marks the second time this season the Bulldogs have recorded a winning streak of two or more matches. Union swept the match in three sets by scores of 25-14, 25-22 and 25-22.

Game Recap

Set 1: Union Commonwealth 25, Truett McConnell 14
The Bears opened the match with a quick 2-0 lead, but Union responded with a 10-3 run to take a 10-5 advantage. Truett McConnell countered with a 5-1 run to close the gap to 11-10. The Bulldogs regained momentum with a 4-0 run, highlighted by two kills from Ginevra Girardo, to make it 15-10 and force a Bears timeout. Union controlled the remainder of the set, outscoring Truett McConnell 10-4 to close it out.

Top performer: Berkli Benefield led Union in the set with four kills and two blocks.

Set 2: Union Commonwealth 25, Truett McConnell 22
Truett McConnell started strong again, jumping out to a 5-2 lead. The Bears maintained the advantage until the Bulldogs tied it at 14-14 with a kill from Emily Shumaker. From there, Union took control and never trailed again, securing the set 25-22.

Top performers: Shumaker and Benefield each recorded four kills. Shumaker also added a block.

Set 3: Union Commonwealth 25, Truett McConnell 22
Just like the first set, Truett McConnell opened with a 2-0 lead. Union quickly tied it at 2-2, and the teams remained even until 10-10. The Bears then went on a 4-0 run to take a 14-10 lead. The Bulldogs cut the deficit to 18-16 and surged ahead with a 5-1 run featuring kills from Jersey Glass, Rylee Stookey and Girardo, forcing a Truett McConnell timeout with Union up 21-19.

The Bears rallied to tie it at 21-21, prompting a Union timeout. With the score knotted at 22-22, the Bulldogs closed out the set with a decisive 3-0 run, capped by two kills from Benefield, to win the set 25-22 and complete the sweep.

Top performers: Shumaker led Union with six kills, while Benefield and Stookey added three apiece.

To check out the Baymont Inn Player of the Game, click here.

By The Numbers:

• Benefield and Shumaker led the Bulldogs in kills with 11 kills each.

• Sloan Coursey led the assist category for the Bulldogs with 20. 

• Glass led the way in digs with 12.

• Girardo and Glass led the blocks category with four apiece.

Up Next

The Bulldogs will be back in Robsion Arena tomorrow, Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. to take on Montreat.