SCHENECTADY, NY - The Union College women's volleyball team lost two matches in five sets each today, to Liberty League opponent St. Lawrence, and Rochester.

Match One:
Union dropped match one of the day after a five set battle with the Saints. The Dutch snatched the first set of the game (25-21), but would ultimately fall at the hands of SLU (14-25, 20-25, 25-10, 8-15). Stephanie Libonati had an incredible game, with 14 kills on 23 attempts. The first year swung .609 at the net, a season high for Libonati. Julia Louis, Lara Atalay and Gillian Gore each contributed 10 kills a piece. Gore had four service aces on the day as well. Libonati and Gore services run are credited in the first set victory against St. Lawrence.

The third set was a sheer chess match, as neither team lead by more than a two-point margin, until SLU separated at 21-18 to run off with the set three victory. The Dutch came out hot for set four, and another Gore service run would lead the Dutchwomen to a 22-9 advantage and eventually force the fifth set. The Dutchwomen fell behind quickly in the fifth set, but Brianne Hallock aced the Saints to bring the Dutch at eight a piece with the competition. But, with a few key kills for SLU to follow, the Saints would ultimately earn the Liberty League victory, 3-2. 

Match Two:
Union took the first two sets of match two right out from under the Yellowjackets (26-24, 25-20). The Dutchwomen were down 24-20 in set one of the night. Hallock would go on a service run to keep the team in the running, and a statement kill from Gore would tie the match up at 24 a piece. Hallock served through the end of the set to earn the win. Union led heavily throughout much of set two. Rochester began to threaten but an Abby Salamone ace, followed by a Gore kill and another three-point service run from Sage Shimamoto, would solidify the second set victory for the Dutch.

For the rest of the match, the Dutchwomen proved to struggle defensively. The Yellowjackets also boasted 21 blocks at the front line to shut down any shot of attacking at the net for Union. The Dutchwomen hit just .124 as a team in the 3-2 loss. 

Hallock had a match-high 33 digs and Shimamoto provided 47 assists as well.

Stat of the Day:
.324 - With 106 kills on 327 attempts, the Dutchwomen are swinging .324 in conference play thus far.