LA PORTE CITY – The Class 2A No. 5 Union Knights volleyball team marked Senior Night here on Tuesday, Sept. 30, by defeating No. 8 Sumner-Fredericksburg to claim the North Iowa Cedar League (NICL) East Division title.

The Knights took all three sets (25-22, 25-23, 25-11) for a clean sweep, earning not just the championship but also the opportunity to host the first round of the NICL Tournament which began this past Tuesday (Oct. 7).

Against the Cougars, junior Bianca Grimm led the Knights offense with 11 kills and one assist. Junior Taylen Smith had 10 kills and junior Abbie Estling had seven. Junior Hinley Mast recorded an impressive 34 assists plus three kills.

Senior Emily Anton led Union’s defense with a dozen digs; Mast added six while senior Reagan Glenn, Grimm, and sophomore Chloe Sadler all recorded four apiece. Sophomore Caitlyn Schneider racked up seven blocks. The Knights managed four aces against Sumner-Fredericksburg courtesy of Glenn, junior Laikyn Ewoldt, Grimm, and Sadler.

Heading into the week (and the NICL Tourney), Union was 27-4 (4-0) on the season. Their only losses have been to 2A No. 4 Grundy Center, 2A No. 2 Dike-New Hartford, Independence, and 2A No. 6 Beckman Catholic.