MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Christian Brothers (7-18, 3-12 GSC) put up a valiant fight against Union (7-17, 5-10 GSC) in a high-stakes Gulf South Conference matchup that extended to five sets at Canale Arena on Thursday night. The Lady Bucs started slow, dropping the first two sets (13-25, 19-25) as Union found early momentum with efficient attacks and effective blocking. However, CBU rallied back in sets three and four, showcasing improved offensive and defensive adjustments, winning 25-13 and 25-18. Unfortunately for the Lady Bucs, Union managed to regain control in the fifth set, sealing the match with a narrow 15-12 victory.

Set-by-Set Breakdown and Key Performances

Set 1 (13-25):
CBU struggled to find a rhythm early in the match, with Union quickly establishing dominance. Union's Jordan Moore and Reese Owens delivered consistent kills, while Hope Harrington's aggressive blocking set the tone defensively. CBU faced challenges in their attack, hitting just .043 for the set. Errors plagued the Lady Bucs, with nine attacking errors contributing to Union's lead.

Set 2 (19-25):
The Lady Bucs began to build momentum but continued to struggle with errors. Although their hitting improved to a .226 percentage, Union's aggressive offensive plays kept the pressure high. Union recorded an impressive .324 attack percentage this set, capitalizing on CBU's service and reception errors. CBU saw a glimpse of their attacking potential, with Ella Schumacher and Jordan Allen leading key rallies to close the gap, though ultimately falling short.

Set 3 (25-13):
CBU's determination showed in the third set, where they made critical adjustments both offensively and defensively. Schumacher led with well-timed kills, complemented by solid assists from Sarah Allyn Thornell. The team registered a .400 hitting percentage while limiting Union's attacks to .067, a testament to CBU's blocking improvement and defensive positioning. This set marked the Lady Bucs' first breakthrough, sparking the hope for a comeback.

Set 4 (25-18):
Continuing their momentum, CBU played one of their most cohesive sets of the match. The Lady Bucs found their offensive stride, with a .455 hitting percentage led by Schumacher's decisive kills and Tia Rizvi's powerful plays at the net. Defensively, Rathheim-Hilton and Zavala secured critical digs to sustain long rallies, helping CBU outpace Union. Their blocking continued to frustrate Union, especially in critical moments where Addison Waggoner and Alma Solis denied Union's attacks.

Set 5 (12-15):
In a back-and-forth final set, CBU's comeback hopes were dashed by Union's timely kills and blocks. Although the Lady Bucs fought resiliently, errors resurfaced, and Union's defensive pressure, particularly from Harrington and Owens, proved pivotal. Schumacher and Rizvi kept CBU in contention with strategic kills, but Union clinched the set and the match with final plays that underscored their poise under pressure.

Individual Standouts

• Ella Schumacher: The junior outside hitter was a force with 18 kills on 42 attempts (.333 hitting percentage), delivering her best performances in the third and fourth sets when CBU was gaining ground. Her front-row presence was invaluable, as she also contributed four block assists.
• Sarah Allyn Thornell: With 50 assists, Thornell orchestrated the Lady Bucs' offense, adapting well to Union's defensive adjustments. She also added six digs and a service ace, proving her versatility and critical playmaking in crucial sets.
• Tia Rizvi: Rizvi notched 14 kills with a strong .440 hitting percentage, particularly excelling in the later sets. She provided reliable attacking options for Thornell, keeping Union's blockers on their toes.
• Sofia Rathheim-Hilton and Aileen Zavala: Rathheim-Hilton's 16 digs and Zavala's 10 digs anchored CBU's defense, especially during extended rallies that demanded quick reactions and consistency. Their court coverage was a key factor in CBU's comeback efforts.

Statistical Summary and Analysis

CBU finished with a .222 hitting percentage across the match, a sign of improved efficiency as they recovered from early struggles. The Lady Bucs recorded 60 kills, seven aces, and nine blocks, demonstrating a balanced performance despite falling short. Schumacher, Rizvi, and Allen combined for 39 of the team's kills, while CBU's defense, totaling 73 digs, showcased resilience against Union's aggressive attacks.

Union, however, matched CBU's .222 hitting percentage and leveraged their blocking (11 total team blocks) and serving (five aces) to maintain their lead. Reese Owens and Jordan Moore led Union offensively, with Hope Harrington's tenacious blocking adding crucial points.

Closing Thoughts

Despite the tough loss, Christian Brothers showed resilience, adjusting effectively in sets three and four and proving they could match Union in both offensive and defensive aspects. With tighter control on errors and continued offensive coordination, CBU demonstrated promising potential heading into the remainder of the Gulf South Conference games.