SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The Union College women’s volleyball team had a pair of one-set leads, but the Garnet Chargers could not close out William Smith College in a tough 3-2 (21-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 15-13) defeat in Liberty League action on Friday night at Viniar Athletic Center.
The loss drops Union (12-10, 2-4 Liberty League) into a tie for sixth place in the conference standings with two matches remaining. As a result, the Garnet Chargers face a likely must-win tomorrow against Rochester Institute of Technology in the home finale beginning at 2 p.m.
Several Union players had big efforts on Friday, led by sophomore Shannon McGrath with a team-leading 19 kills to go with 14 digs. Classmate Georgia Pool tied for the match-high with 25 digs, and first-year Sydney Scanlon had a big double-double with a season-high 40 assists and 20 digs. Fellow first-year Graciela Escobar added 11 kills and classmate Maddie McCarron notched nine kills and five blocks.
William Smith (11-8, 4-2 Liberty League) was paced by Malya Sayre with 23 kills and 20 digs, as well as Maysie Malinaric with 25 digs. Maren Hunt was huge at the net for the Herons, recording 12 blocks as part of a William Smith unit that produced 18 total blocks.
Union built up an 14-7 lead to begin the first set, which was the largest lead that either side would have for the remainder of the evening. The Herons closed to within two on three occasions, but Union used a late 4-1 min-run to take the early lead.
The home team jumped out to an 8-3 advantage to start the second stanza, but the Herons came back…
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