SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College women's volleyball team kicked off a long homestand with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-11, 25-22) victory over SUNY Poly in the team's 2021 home opener on Tuesday night at the Viniar Athletic Center.
 
Junior Julia Webster and sophomore Keara Page led Union (2-3) with a match-high seven kills apiece, as the Dutchwomen spread out their offense amongst multiple players. Junior Denesha Lafontant also had a solid game at the net with five kills and three blocks, while sophomore Meredith Blinn led the defensive effort with 12 digs.
 
Union scored the first point of the opening set on a kill by Page and never trailed in the opening set. After SUNY Poly scored four straight points to get within four at 16-12, kills by Lafontant and first-year Kirsten Litchfield jump started a 5-1 run that regained the cushion and helped the team to the early lead.
 
The second set started out evenly, with SUNY Poly grabbing an early lead and the advantage going back and forth. But with the score tied at nine, Union closed with a massive 16-2 run – including nine straight points – to take total control. Webster and junior Sofia Barth led the team with three kills each during the run.
 
The home team used a 5-0 run to take a 14-9 lead in the third set and was essentially content to alternate points for most of the frame after that, as the Dutchwomen cruised to the sweep.
 
Union will remain at home this weekend for a full weekend of action at the Union Invitational, beginning on Friday with a 7 p.m. match against Williams College.