CASTLETON, Vt. – Five players recorded at least five kills as the Union College women's volleyball team extended its season-opening winning streak to four matches with a 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-22) sweep of Castleton University on Wednesday night at Glenbrook Gym.
 
First-year Shannon McGrath filled up the stat sheet in another solid outing, putting down a match-high 11 kills while also adding five assists, six digs and a match-high five service aces. Junior Keara Page added eight kills, while senior Julia Webster and junior Mya Delesdernier chipped in six kills apiece.
 
Sophomore Kirsten Litchfield tied the match high with 11 digs and senior Denesha Lafontant added three blocks to pace the team defensively. Junior Brooke Fleming and senior Haley Kresch again split the setting duties, recording 17 and 14 assists, respectively.
 
Union never trailed in the opening set, putting down an impressive 15 kills on 31 swings to take an early lead. The visitors scored eight of the first 10 points to take control early and, while the Spartans battled back to within a point at 12-11, Union never relinquished its advantage and closed on a 5-1 run.
 
Union started the second set on a 6-1 run, but Castleton answered with a 9-1 stretch soon after to take its largest lead at 15-11. But the Dutchwomen responded well, scoring 14 of the final 18 points to take a two-set lead. Page led the team with three kills during the decisive run, while McGrath and Delesdernier added two apiece.
 
The third set was the most even of the night, featuring eight ties and seven lead changes. Castleton made a late push to force a fourth set, using an 8-4 run to take its last lead at 22-21. However, a Union timeout stemmed the tide and allowed the visitors to regain their composure, getting a kill and back-to-back aces from McGrath before Webster put down a kill on match point.
 
Union finished the game with 40 kills and 16 errors on 105 attempts (.229 hitting). Castleton hit .121 with 29 kills and 17 errors on 99 swings.
 
Union will return to the Capital Region this weekend for the Skidmore Invitational, beginning on Friday evening with a 7 p.m. match against Morrisville State College.