SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – First-year Shannon McGrath led all players with 20 kills to pace the Union College women's volleyball team in a 3-1 (25-14, 24-26, 25-18, 25-17) victory over Vassar College in Liberty League action on Wednesday night at Viniar Athletic Center.
 
McGrath recorded her third straight double-double to lead Union (8-5, 2-1 Liberty League) to a second straight conference victory, adding 16 digs and four aces to her game-high 20 kills. Juniors Keara Page and Nikki Newcomer both added 10 kills apiece, with Newcomer adding 11 digs for her first collegiate double-double.
 
Defensively, Page and senior Julia Webster both registered a game-high four blocks, while first-year Georgia Pool led all players with 20 digs and added seven assists.
 
After Vassar scored three of the match's first four points, Union quickly took control of the opening set. McGrath at one point accounted for six straight Union points with four kills in a row followed by two service aces, and put down seven kills on nine attempts (.667) in all during the first frame.
 
The Brewers rallied to win a close second set, but Union came back to take the final two sets to earn the win. The visitors made a run in the third stanza to take a 16-12 lead, but McGrath put down a kill and Union then won eight straight points on her serve – including a pair of aces and two kills – to take control at 21-16.
 
Vassar again took an early 5-0 lead in the fourth set, but Union battled back thanks to nine straight points on the serve of senior Haley Kresch (including two aces) to take a 17-10 lead. Vassar could not get closer than six the rest of the way as Union closed out the conference win.
 
The home team hit .238 on the night with 53 kills and 19 errors on 143 attacks, while limiting the visitors to .107 hitting (40-24-149).
 
Union will take a break from conference play with three matches this weekend, beginning with a Friday night matchup at Smith College beginning at 6 p.m.