SCHENECTADY, NY – An all-around performance by the Union College volleyball team led the Dutchwomen to a 3-0 sweep of Russell Sage at the Viniar Center Tuesday evening. Game scores were 30-25, 30-18, 30-26.
Union (10-15) broke open the first game at 8-3, and led by at least five points throughout the rest of the opener. The two teams battled closely in the second game, but the Dutchwomen made several four-point runs to lead by as many as seven points, and used two Gator long balls to collect the final points of the game. Russell Sage again held tight in the third game, as the Dutchwomen exploded from a one-point lead at 15-14 to a 22-16 advantage. The Gators got as close as three points at one point, but the Dutchwomen held on to clinch the match.
Julie LaSpina (Roslyn Heights,NY/Roslyn) led the Dutchwomen with 14 kills, while Jen
Merinder (Andover, MA/Andover) chipped in with 11. Merinder also made 17 digs, and
Kaitlyn Evans (Hamburg, NY/Hamburg) added 14.
Erin Schumaker (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs) posted four blocks, and
Mary Volcko (Skaneateles, NY/Skaneateles) tallied four.
Lauren Lesce (Rochester, NY/Pittsford-Sutherland) had 40 assists. The Dutchwomen combined for eight aces in the match.
CJ Ostrowski led the Gators (14-13) with 17 kills and 13 digs. Kaitlin Olmstead added eight digs and 34 assists. Shannon Young made 27 digs.
The Dutchwomen are back in action at the Skidmore Classic on Friday, October 20. Union plays St. Michael's at 4 p.m. and concludes the first day of the tournament in a 6 p.m. match against Stevens Tech.
