ITHACA, N.Y. - The sixth-seeded Union College women's volleyball team had its run through the Liberty League Tournament come to an end on Friday afternoon, falling in three hard-fought sets to second-seeded Clarkson University, 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-20), at Ithaca College's Ben Light Gymnasium.

For Union (13-15), first-year Shannon McGrath capped off a stellar rookie season by leading all players with 14 kills on the afternoon. Senior Julia Webster was excellent in her final collegiate match, putting her first seven swings down for kills and finishing with a season-high 10 kills on .467 hitting, while junior Nikki Newcomer added nine kills as well.

Junior Brooke Fleming led the team with 16 assists and senior Haley Kresch added 15, and first-year Georgia Pool picked up a team-leading 10 digs.

Clarkson (15-10) was paced by the tandem of Sara Galante and Kristin Werdine. Galante led the team with 13 kills, with Werdine adding 12 kills and 12 digs for the match's only double-double.

McGrath had a big first set for Union, putting down six of Union's 13 kills. Both teams had 13 kills in the frame, but Union had some trouble getting past the Clarkson blockers, with the Golden Knights putting down six blocks. 

Clarkson came out strong to start the second set with a 7-1 run and did not trail for the entire frame. Newcomer put down six kills and Webster added four more for the Dutchwomen in the frame, but Union could get no closer than four points.

Union got off to a good start in the third set, taking an early 7-4 lead behind two kills each from McGrath and Webster. The Dutchwomen held the lead at 11-8 before the Golden Knights went on a 7-1 run to regain control, and Union could not string together enough points to mount a comeback.

Despite the loss, it was a successful first season for Union under head coach Annie DeLoid, earning the program's first postseason berth since 2016 and winning its first postseason match since 2015.