SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Union College women's volleyball team could not slow down Springfield College, receiving votes in the latest AVCA Div. III National Poll, as the Pride dealt the Dutchwomen a 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-14) defeat on Thursday night at Blake Arena.
 
Sophomore Steph Libonati led Union (9-6) with 10 kills on 16 errorless attacks (.625), followed by classmate Lara Atalay with nine kills. Fellow sophomore Sage Shimamoto added a team-leading 26 assists, while senior Emma Sprotbery recorded a team-best 11 digs.
 
The Dutchwomen hit well in the first two sets, putting down 27 kills with only five errors, but it was not enough to pull out a victory. The Union deficit was just two in the first set after an Atalay kill made the score 17-15, but Springfield (14-2) closed on an 8-3 run to take the opening frame. The visitors led for most of the second stanza, leading by as many as five points (16-11), but the home team followed up with an 11-3 run to take the lead and grab a two-set lead.
 
The attack was less efficient in the third set, as Union managed only eight kills as Springfield scored the opening point and never trailed.
 
Union will be back in action on Tuesday at 7 p.m., when the team returns to Liberty League play against Skidmore College at Viniar Athletic Center.