Vassar Volleyball Posts League Win Over Union

By Amie Canfield

POUGHKEEPSIE – It was a come-from-behind battle, but the Vassar College women’s volleyball team prevailed, netting a 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 26-24) victory over Union College in Liberty League action at Kenyon Gym on Saturday afternoon. The victory moves the Brewers to 3-6 overall with a 1-1 league mark, while the Dutchwomen slip to 4-10 with an 0-2 record in the Liberty League.

Six different players for the Brewers posted at least two kills, including two in double figures. Leading the way was rookie outside hitter Hailey Hayes with a match-best 13 kills. She also added two service aces and had two assist. Senior captain and libero Sara Ehnstrom added 12 kills, laying down a block solo and a block assist with 11 digs. Senior setter Madison Wilson posted three service aces and a match-best 31 assists, while senior hitter Camille Donald posted 13 digs with two aces and a block assist.

For Union, sophomore right side Keara Page posted nine kills with two block assists, while senior defensive specialist Jessica Siragusa had six kills to go along with a service ace, a block assist and a match-best 22 digs. Junior setter Haley Kresch posted 26 assists with a block assist.

Vassar took an early lead in the first set, but Union had the advantage for most of the frame before letting a late lead slip away. The Brewers led 9-6 before the Dutchwomen rattled off eight straight points to pull ahead 14-9. Union led by as many as six at 20-14 after a service ace by Siragusa, and held a 23-20 edge after a Vassar error gave them the advantage late.

The Brewers rebounded quickly as a kill from sophomore hitter Ava Casalino, followed by back-to-back strikes from Ehnstrom tied things at 23-all. A Union error and a Hayes kill proved to be the turning point as Vassar came back for the 25-23 set one victory.

In the second set, the two teams battled back and forth early, recording five ties until an 11-of-13 scoring run for Vassar turned a 5-all tie into a 16-7 advantage. Union fought off five set points, extending the frame behind kills from junior middle blocker Julia Webster and Siragusa, but the Brewers held on to their advantage for the 25-15 middle set win.

The visiting Dutchwomen came out strong in the third set, trailing for only one point early on before eventually owning a 14-7 lead after a block by Kresch and junior middle blocker Denesha Lafontant. Vassar found themselves trailing by a 20-16 margin, but four straight points, including two aces from Hayes, made it a 20-all contest.

It was back-and-forth with three more ties, but a strike from Casalino and an error on the Dutchwomen secured the 26-24 set win for the 3-0 match victory for the Brewers.

Vassar is back on the court this Saturday in tri-match action at Oneonta. The Brewers play the host Red Dragons at 12pm, followed by a 2pm match against Alfred.