Benefield and Girardo’s Brick Wall Defense Secures Union Volleyball’s Upset Against Brenau

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – The Union Commonwealth University women's volleyball team (8-18, 8-6 AAC) earned a statement win Saturday afternoon, defeating Brenau (12-10, 9-5 AAC) 3-1 at Robsion Arena.

Last season, Union swept the Tigers 3-0 at home on Nov. 1. This time, the Bulldogs repeated their success, winning in four sets: 26-24, 23-25, 25-12, and 25-19.

Senior Emily Shumaker and sophomore Ginevra Girardo powered the offense, combining for 29 kills. Shumaker tallied 15 kills and five digs, while Girardo posted 14 kills, 13 digs, and six blocks.

Game Recap

Set 1: Union Commonwealth 26, Brenau 24
The opening set was tightly contested, with both teams trading points early. Tied 7-7, Union broke ahead with a 6-0 run to take a 13-7 lead, forcing a Brenau timeout. The Tigers responded with a 4-1 run, but Union maintained its edge. After several rallies and timeouts, the teams were tied at 24-24. A kill from Shumaker capped a 2-0 closing run, giving Union the 26-24 win and a 1-0 lead.

Top performers: Shumaker led with five kills, while Girardo added four kills and three blocks. Sarah Charkosky finished with six assists.

Set 2: Brenau 25, Union Commonwealth 23
Set two featured another back-and-forth battle. Union held a slim 8-7 lead before Brenau surged ahead 10-8, prompting a timeout. The Bulldogs tied it at 11-11 and again at 13-13, but the Tigers regained control with a 5-2 run. Union fought back to tie the set 22-22 after a Rylee Stookey ace, but Brenau closed it out 25-23 to even the match.

Top performers: Berkli Benefield recorded three kills and four blocks, while Girardo added four kills and two blocks. Charkosky and Sloan Coursey each had six assists.

Set 3: Union Commwealth 25, Brenau 12
Union dominated the third set from start to finish, jumping to a 7-2 lead capped by a Shumaker kill. A Benefield and Jersey Glass block extended the advantage to 8-2, forcing an early Brenau timeout. The Bulldogs continued to roll, stretching the lead to 22-12 before closing the set on a 3-0 run. Benefield's kill sealed the 25-12 victory and a 2-1 lead in the match.

Top performers: Shumaker led with six kills. Benefield added two kills and three blocks, while Girardo contributed two kills, an ace, and a block. Glass notched three blocks and two assists, and Charkosky tallied seven assists.

Set 4: Union Commonwealth 25, Brenau 19
The final set started evenly before Union created separation with a 3-1 run to go up 11-8. Brenau cut the deficit to one at 15-14 and tied it 17-17, prompting a Union timeout. Out of the break, Cynthia Davidson sparked a 5-2 Bulldog run, putting Union ahead 22-19. The Bulldogs closed strong, with Sydney Worde delivering the match-winning ace for a 25-19 finish.

Top performers: Glass led with four kills and two blocks. Benefield added four kills and one block, while Girardo matched with four kills. Charkosky and Coursey each dished out seven assists.

Ginevra Girardo and Sloan Coursey both receieved their first double-doubles of the season. Girardo had 14 kills and 13 digs. Coursey had 19 assists and 10 digs.

By the Numbers

• Kills: Shumaker – 15

• Assists: Charkosky – 27

• Digs: Worde – 22

• Blocks: Benefield – 7

Check out the Baymont Inn Player of the Game here.

Up Next

The Bulldogs travel to Dayton, Tennessee, to face Bryan on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 6:30 p.m.