Union College Athletics

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The fourth-seeded Union College women's volleyball team swept fifth-seeded Clarkson University in front of a packed Viniar Athletic Center on Tuesday night in the first round of the Liberty League Tournament and advanced to the semifinals to take on third-ranked and top-seeded Ithaca College.

The Garnet Chargers (19-12) withstood a set point from Clarkson (17-9) in the third set and responded with the final three points to secure their first postseason victory since 2022. Junior Georgia Pinciaro had back-to-back kills during the match-ending rally, and senior Erin Stevens made a desperation dig on the last point, eventually leading to Clarkson's season-ending attack error.

Pinciaro had nine kills with just one error in the match, and first-year Johanna Melhorn stepped up in her playoff debut to lead her team with 13 kills on a .346 attack percentage to go along with three block assists. Senior Graciela Escobar also had a stellar match, starting the first and third sets on her way to eight digs, 12 receptions without an error, and three service aces.

The first set featured five tied scores and four lead changes before a seven-point run with Escobar at the service line put the home team up 12-7. Union never trailed again in the 25-21 win, with Pinciaro sealing the deal with her fourth kill of the set.

Clarkson burst out to a 9-2 lead in the second, looking to tie the match up. With sophomore Shea Ringel serving, Union went on a six-point rally, ending with an ace from Ringel to tie the set up 13-13. Union tied the match up four more times but did not pull in front until an ace from Escobar put Union ahead 21-20. The Garnet Chargers were able to hold onto their first lead of the set, and senior Maddie McCarron finished the set 25-22 on a kill through the middle of the Clarkson defense.
 
The Garnet Chargers looked as if they were going to coast to an easy third-set victory and third straight sweep of the Golden Knights. Union had its first look at match point leading 24-20, but the set still had 12 epic points remaining. 

Clarkson powered back with four straight points, featuring two kills from Amelia Bartfalvi, a kill from Chase Chudoba, and a block from those two as well. McCarron put her team back at the service line with her seventh kill of the match, but once again, Clarkson had an answer. 

After three more points from the visitors, Izzie Piano served for a Clarkson set point, already with three aces on the night. However, two big kills from Pinciaro put her side back in the driver's seat, and Clarkson made the final mistake during a hectic point that had both teams out of system. Union eventually did get to sweep Clarkson and celebrate on its home court, setting up a trip to the semifinals for the second consecutive year.

First-year Vanessa Morgan served for match point and also led her team with 10 digs. Junior Allie Kronenberg had 37 assists and put down three timely kills. She also had two block assists and one solo, five digs, and an ace.

Union was all over Clarkson's setter Brianna Hale, recording 10 digs on her 11 swings, holding her without a kill and also forcing one error. The Garnet Charger defense also returned 95.4 percent of Clarkson's serves, held the Golden Knights to a .178 attack percentage, and totaled seven blocks. McCarron and Melhorn registered three block assists each. 

Union looks to upset the top-seeded and nationally ranked Bombers on their own court, taking on Ithaca on Friday, Nov. 13 in the semifinals of the Liberty League Tournament.