POTSDAM, N.Y. – The Union College women's volleyball team dropped a heartbreaking 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-19) match at the hands of Clarkson University in a Liberty League matchup on Friday night at Alumni Gymnasium.
 
The close loss is especially tough for Union (13-9, 2-4 Liberty League), as it eliminates the Dutchwomen from postseason contention with one conference match left. Clarkson (12-9, 3-3 Liberty League) moves into a fourth-place tie with its win.
 
Union had trouble at the net against Clarkson, hitting just .088 and allowing the home team to put down nine blocks. Sophomore Julia Louis led the Dutchwomen with seven kills, while senior Emma Sprotbery and sophomore Sage Shimamoto followed with six kills apiece. Sophomore Kaylee Velasquez added a match-high 24 digs as well.
 
Clarkson scored the first four points of the opening set and never trailed, although Union made things interesting toward the end. The visitors tied the score three times, the last coming at 23-all after two straight kills from sophomore Steph Libonati, but a pair of attack errors handed the frame to the home team.
 
In the second stanza, Union used a 10-2 run to grab a 16-11 lead, with a pair of aces from sophomore Lara Atalay punctuating the run. The visitors looked to be in good shape up 21-16, but Clarkson stormed back to end the frame on a 9-1 run.
 
Faced with a two-set deficit, Union recorded the first four points of the third set but gave up the next five, and Clarkson never fell behind the rest of the way. The Dutchwomen got back within three at 18-15, but the visitors could get no closer.
 
Union will finish off Liberty League play tomorrow at 2 p.m. at St. Lawrence University.