BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Union County High School earned its third straight win in volleyball, defeating host Keystone Heights 3-0 (25-18, 25-22, 25-10) on Aug. 28.
Stats weren’t available by deadline for the Tigers, who improved to 4-2.
Keystone (3-3) got eight kills from Mia Rivera and 15 assists from Kaleigh Marquart. Mackenzie Castlevecchi, Bralee-Kate Chester and Kadence Massey each had two blocks, with Castlevecchi also adding three service aces.
The first match in Union’s current win streak occurred at home against Williston on Aug. 25. Jailyn Simmons had 13 kills and three blocks in the 3-0 (25-7, 25-12, 25-16) victory.
Mallory Waugh and Abby Williams recorded 12 and 10 assists, respectively, while Indi Knox led the team in digs with 13.
Waugh and Morgan Smith added eight and six digs, respectively.
The Tigers traveled to play Baker County on Aug. 26, defeating the Wildcats 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-23).
Simmons recorded a team-high 11 kills, while Smith and Waugh each had seven. Simmons added seven digs and two blocks, while Waugh had 15 digs and 11 assists. Smith finished with eight digs.
Bella Johns and Bayley Staier led the team in digs with 14 each, while Knox had 13.
Williams recorded 21 assists.
Keystone entered the Union match off a 3-1 (17-25, 26-24, 25-23, 25-21) win at Columbia on Aug. 26.
Rivera and Marquart had 16 and six kills, respectively, with Marquart adding 25 assists and five aces.
Massey had 10 digs, while Rachel Blank and Bella Cumbo added eight and seven, respectively.
Chester and Castlevecchi had three and two blocks, respectively, with Chester also recording five aces.
Union plays at Newberry on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 6:30 p.m., following a junior varsity match at 5:30 p.m. The Tigers host Oak Hall on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. and travel to play district opponent Dixie County on Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Keystone plays at Baker County on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., following a JV match at 5:30 p.m. The Indians will host district opponent Palatka on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. and travel to play Bradford on Monday, Sept. 8, at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
On Tuesday, Sept. 9, Keystone travels to play district opponent Interlachen at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
