ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – The Union College women's volleyball team extended its winning streak to seven as the Dutchwomen began Liberty League play by cruising to a 3-0 (25-11, 25-13, 25-20) victory over Bard College on Friday night at the Stevenson Athletic Center.
 
Union (9-4, 1-0 Liberty League) had another good hitting match against the Raptors, posting a .348 hitting percentage with 40 kills and only eight errors on 92 attacks. Sophomores Gillian Gore and Steph Libonati led the team with eight kills each, combining for just one error on 31 total attacks. Gore added a team-best 13 digs for her 10th double-double of the year, while classmate Sage Shimamoto added a match-best 21 assists and 11 digs for her first double-double of the season.
 
Union never trailed in any set, as the visitors started strong in all three frames. In the opening set, the Dutchwomen jumped out to an early 8-1 lead, led by three kills by sophomore Julia Louis. Bard (4-8, 0-1 Liberty League) closed the gap to one at 12-11, but Union responded with a 13-1 run to close out the set.
 
The second stanza was tied at seven before Union used another run to regain control, scoring 14-of-17 points to grab a 21-10 advantage. Sophomore Lara Atalay had four kills and a block during the set-clinching run.
 
The Dutchwomen again gained an early lead in the final frame, taking 10 of the first 12 points. The Raptors got back within three at 19-16, but three kills from senior Emma Sprotbery helped to quell the rally and deliver a third-set win.
 
Union will return to action tomorrow, when the Dutchwomen welcome Vassar College to the Viniar Athletic Center for a key Liberty League matchup starting at 4 p.m.