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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Dutchwomen opened up the Union Invitational with two victories, both in straight sets over SUNY Brockport and Utica at the Vinair Athletic Center Friday evening.

The Dutchwomen and Golden Eagles were even early in the opening set with a slight edge to the Dutchwomen. It remained close, as each team was able to make key plays close to the net. Rachel Wyman and Rajpreet Dhaliwal converted a pair of kills to open the Dutchwomen lead of 19-15. The Golden Eagles hung around as they were able to keep it within three points at 23-20 with contributions by Jessica Senek, Sarah Zelko and. However, the Dutchwomen were able to hang on to win the opening set 25-20.

After a 4-2 lead by SUNY Brockport, the Dutchwomen were able to go on a 4-1 run in the second set  to make it 7-4  thanks to great plays by Mackenzie Westfall, Wood and Wyman. Jaime Snyder stood out in the second set as she kept the Golden Eagles close. The Golden Eagles were able to capitalize on offensive miscues by the Dutchwomen to recapture the lead of 15-14. Union however was able to regain the lead to 17-15. Nicole Jones added on to the Golden Eagles 5-2 run to open it 18-17 with a finesse touch over the Union blockers. The Dutchwomen battled back with a kill by Rachel Wyman and miscues by the Golden Eagles to regain the lead 19-18. Casey Tepper and Lauren Woods continued the Union rally on a 4-1 run. SUNY Brockport was able to convert a couple of blocks to close the lead to one but Woods was able to put away set two with a touch over the net to get the 25-23 win.

The Golden Eagles opened up the third set on a 6-2 run highlighted by a service ace by Sarah Zelko. However, Union battled back on a 14-1 run with Wyman, Wood and Woods sparking the rally. SUNY Brockport struggled to get the offense going as they trailed 20-9 in the final set. Offensively, the Golden Eagles were able to produce again but the Dutchwomen were able to close it out to win 25-12 and in straight sets.

Jaime Snyder and Nicole Jones led the Golden Eagles with seven kills each. Synder also had nine digs while Jones had two block assists. Zelko led the passing attack with 22 assists while Senek contributed with five kills.

Offensively, Rachel Wyman led Union with 14 kills while Casey Tepper contributed with 10 of her own. Defensively, Vollmer paced the team with a game-high 25 digs. Mackenzie Westfall dished out 25 assists, also a game-high. 

The Pioneers and the Dutchwomen opened the first set close with a 7-6 lead in favor of Union. Union then went on a 15-0 led by a well-rounded Dutchwomen effort of attackers. Tarah Babcock answered the Union run with a service ace to rally the Pioneers. Despite Utica's effort, the Dutchwomen closed out the first set 25-10.

Union continued to put the pressure on the Pioneers as the Dutchwomen opened the set 7-2 on a 5-0 run after exchanging a pair of points in the opening minutes. Utica was able to string some points to stop the streak shortly but then the Dutchwomen on a 6-0 run to open the Union lead to make it 12-8. The Pioneers were able to rally and capture their first lead of the set 15-14 through some defensive stops by their front line. Union was able to recapture the lead with a string of kills by Rachel Wyman to open it 21-18. Utica responded with a pair of points to decrease the deficit it one but Wyman, Casey Tepper and Rajpreet Dhaliwal provided the offense to preserve the close lead and close out the set 25-20.

After exchanging a pair of points in the third set, the Dutchwomen tallied an 8-0 run to open the third set. Union continued their attack as Utica was only able to score points sporadically as Union closed out the third set 25-16 and gained the victory in straight sets.

Madison Bayer led Utica offensively with seven kills and two service aces. Bayer also led the team defensively with eight digs while Ashley Jones had a pair of solo blocks and digs. Kellee Furno paced the Pioneer passing attack with 16 assists.

Union was led by Casey Tepper with 11 kills with Rachel Wyman trailing her with 10 and Nora Wood with nine. Marissa Vollmer tallied a game-high 14 digs while Kim Armstrong paced the Dutchwomen in assists with 21.

The Dutchwomen will be back in action tomorrow as Union are paired with Hartwick at 10 a.m. and against #9 SUNY Cortland at noon.