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SCHENECTADY, NY – Seniors of Union College volleyball were honored in their last regular season home game as the Dutchwomen defeated Sage 3-1 (25-13, 25-18, 21-25 25-20) Tuesday evening.
 
Ariana Abrams, Kim Armstrong, Carissa Vazzana, Cristina Vazzana and Nora Wood were the players that were honored at the end of the Dutchwomen victory. Players, coaches, parents and spectators gave tribute to the five soon-to-be graduates as they finished their last regular season home game at the Viniar Athletic Center.
 
Union jumped out to an 8-3 lead to begin the first set. Rachel Wyman provided the spark with a pair of service aces to start things off. Kelsey Ray kept the Gators within four with a service ace of her own. Wyman was able to give the Dutchwomen a seven-point lead at 14-7 with a couple of thunderous strikes. After a Sage timeout, the Dutchwomen responded with a five point run at 22-10. Kelley White was able to help Union close out the first set 25-13 with a kill to take the first game.
 
The service game for the Dutchwomen helped Union build a 7-3 lead in the second set with aces from Rajpreet Dhaliwal and Wyman. Mick Mango and the Gators kept pace with good defense but the Union attack would not let up. Carissa Vazzana and Dhaliwal connected on a great dig and spike to extend the lead to 16-8. Helen Putriment, Kelsey Ray and Mango started to rally the Gators after a Sage timeout. However, the Dutchwomen were able to trade off points to take the second set 25-18.
 
Sage kept it close in the third set as the Gators trailed 6-4. Katelyn Drollette cut the deficit to one with a service ace. Morgan Robinson and Shannon Hughes exchanged kills as Union clung on to a one-point lead. Points from Joanie Cooney and Robinson gave Sage their first lead of the match at 10-9. Putriment and Robinson were able to take the Gators on a quick run to make it 16-12. After a Dutchwomen timeout, Union was able to slice the lead in half. Union's 18^th point was well earned as each team exchanged a vicious rally with Dhaliwal's block to be the deciding factor. Kills from Wood and Hughes inched the Dutchwomen within one. However, Mango and Drollette aided a 5-1 run for the Gators to take set three 25-21.
 
The Gators held the slight advantage in the fourth set 6-5. An ace by Kim Armstrong was brought the set on even terms at seven. Union remained close as the Gators etched a one-point lead at 12-11. The Dutchwomen were able to regain the lead for the first time since the second set with a 17-14 lead. Sage's defense aided the Gators back within one at 17-16. Lauren Woods made her mark on the night as the Dutchwomen rebuilt their lead to six at 22-16 with a mixture of defense and offense from the hitter. Dhaliwal capped off the fourth set with a kill to take the final set 25-20.  
 
Union will be on the road for the remainder of the season as the Dutchwomen will be set to face Liberty League foes this weekend. For Friday, the Dutchwomen will faceoff against Vassar. Saturday, Union will see Bard and RIT at Bard. Sage will partake in the Ithaca College Invitational to compete against Ithaca, Potsdam State, Wells and St. Lawrence.