Union Invitational Scores

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Union split the final two games of their invitational as the Dutchwomen defeated Hartwick in straight sets but fell to #9 SUNY Cortland at the Vinair Athletic Center Saturday afternoon.

The Dutchwomen started where they left off yesterday as they jumped out to a 6-3 lead to open the first set against the Hawks. Hartwick was able to side out but the Dutchwomen continued to exchange points with the Hawks. After a diving effort by Kelley White that grazed the net and dropped in for a kill, Hartwick took their first time out and trailed 14-6. The Hawks struggled to gain any momentum despite playing great defense to make Union work for their points as the Dutchwomen stringed together a 6-2 run. Union was able to grind out a few more points to take the first set 25-13.

Mackenzie Westfall and the Dutchwomen served in the first six points as Union put the Hawks behind quickly in the second set. Hartwick's offense picked up in the midst of the second set, as the Hawks were able to string together a 6-2 run to get within two at 14-12. After exchanging the next couple of points, Union padded their once slim lead to five at 19-14. Each team exchanged points, as the Dutchwomen were able to close out a 25-19 set to take a two-game lead.

Hartwick was able to keep pace with Union as they were even at four to open the third set. Union began to pull away as they were able to string together a couple of small runs to make it 15-10. Hartwick reduced the lead to three. Despite their efforts, Hartwick could not rally as the Dutchwomen put away the Hawks 25-19 and sweep Hartwick.

Casey Tepper paced the Dutchwomen in kills with 12 while Nora Wood and Rachel Wyman trailed with 11 and 10 respectively. Defensively, Vollmer led Union with 20 digs and Mackenzie Westfall paced the passing game with 22 assists.

In the opening set against the Red Dragons, Union held even with Cortland in the opening set deadlocked at four. The Red Dragons were able to carve out a 9-6 lead as the first set progressed. Each team exchanged points after enduring long rallies to make it 13-11. The Dutchwomen were able to get within one at 16-15 despite Cortland's blocking ability of Natalie Zacpal and Kayla Pollock who made Union work hard defensively for their points. The Red Dragons were able to regain their three-point lead to 21-18 after a Union timeout. The Dutchwomen came out of the timeout and were able to side-out. Each team exchanged a pair of points to make it 23-21. The Dutchwomen were able to level the score at 23 as Cortland took a timeout. Cortland was able to take the last two points to win the opening set 25-23.

Union's hitters of Nora Wood, Rachel Wyman and Rajpreet Dhaliwal made it difficult for Cortland to spike early in the second set as the Dutchwomen took a 5-3 advantage. Cortland was able to level the score at six despite some gritty defense from both sides. Cortland took the lead for the first time in the second set on a 4-0 run to make it 9-7. The Dutchwomen were able to level the score on a reversed call and a miscue by the Cortland attack at 11 all. After exchanging the next pair of points, Union recaptured the lead on a kill by Dhalwhi. Union created some separation but quickly disappeared as Cortland leveled the score at 20. After Cortland winning the next rally, Rachel Wyman shot it by the Cortland block twice to regain the lead sparking a 5-0 run to win the set 25-20.

Both teams remained even to open the third set with a slight edge to the Red Dragons. Both teams were even-steven at 10 after trading points. Both teams exchanged the lead bringing it to 14 all when Bridget McHugh was able to string a three-point run highlighted by a service ace. However, Union quickly erased the lead to even it at 17.The Red Dragons retaliated with another quick three-point run to make it 20-17. Cortland continued their run as Kayla Pollock and Zacpal continued to block well for the Red Dragons to push the lead to 23-17. Pollock ended the brief Dutchwomen run with a block to end the set 25-19.

Union held the early advantage in the fourth set jumping out to an 8-4 lead. Cortland however, chipped away at the lead and eventually leveled the score at 12. After exchanging the next few points, Cortland clung to an 18-17 edge. After the Dutchwomen leveled the score, Cortland took the following three points to make it 21-18. The Red Dragons were able to put away the following four points to end the match 25-18.

Ava Hintz paced the Red Dragons offensively with 20 kills followed by Ashley Coyle and Zacpal with 15 kills each. Kristen Guercio dished out a game-high 53 assists while Krissy Silk tallied 24 digs. Kim Givelechain and Coyle each had 20 digs in the winning effort.
Rachel Wyman led Union offensively with 13 kills, including one service ace. Kelley White and Nora Woods had nine and eight kills respectively. Marissa Vollmer paced the defensive unit with 21 digs while Mackenzie Westfall dished out 36 assists in the defeat.

Union will take their 11-3 record to Tuesday as they will host Skidmore College at the Vinair Athletic Center beginning at 7:00 p.m.