UTICA, N.Y. – The Union College women's volleyball team used a well-rounded effort to cruise past Utica University by a 3-0 (25-15, 25-11, 25-20) score in non-conference action on Wednesday night at the Clark Athletic Center.
 
Eight different players had at least one kill on the evening, led by senior Shannon McGrath with eight kills and eight digs in two sets. Junior Shelby McKim followed with seven kills and sophomore Melody Herrin added five kills on 10 errorless swings and a match-high three blocks. Sophomore Allie Kronenberg dished out 26 assists and senior Georgia Pool had 14 digs to lead the Garnet Chargers as well.
 
The visitors came on strong in the middle of the opening frame, using a 9-1 run to turn a 10-9 deficit into an 18-11 advantage, helped by two aces from first-year Shea Ringel. Union followed up with 13 of the first 17 points in the second stanza, allowing the Pioneers to record back-to-back points only once on the way to an easy two-set lead.
 
Union had to work to complete the sweep, but an 8-1 run put the visitors up by a 19-14 margin in the third. The Pioneers got back within two at 22-20 before two Utica errors and a Kronenberg kill on match point sealed the victory.
 
The Garnet Chargers finished the game hitting .206 with 32 kills on 97 attempts, while holding Utica to -.052 hitting and only 20 kills.
 
Union will head to the University of Scranton for three matches this weekend, beginning with a Friday night matchup against Rowan University set for a 7:30 p.m. start.