LA PORTE CITY – The Class 2A No. 5 Union Knights volleyball team went 3-1 during the highly competitive 2026 NICL Volleyball Tournament last week, handily taking down Columbus Catholic, Jesup and Class 2A No. 8 Denver, but falling to Class 2A No. 10 Hudson in an upset match.

In the opening round on Tuesday, Oct. 6, which Union hosted, the Knights easily defeated the Sailors (6-23) in quick sets of 25-12 and 25-14 before later that evening falling to Hudson (25-16), 2-1 (18-25, 26-24, 9-15).

On Day 2 of the tournament, which took place Thursday, Oct. 8, in Denver, the Knights defeated Jesup (9-18) with ease, sweeping the J-Hawks 2-0 (25-12, 25-13).

In their final tournament match that evening, Union knocked down Denver (22-14) in two sets (25-18, 25-22).

The Knights offense during the two-day tournament was led by middle hitter Caitlyn Schneider with 27 kills, and outside hitter Bianca Grimm with 26 kills. Middle hitter Taylen Smith contributed 21 kills, setter Hinley Mast added 15, outside hitter Abbie Estling 10, and outside hitter Laikyn Ewoldt nine. Mast totaled an incredible 85 assists on the day.

Grimm led the defense for Union with 35 digs and three blocks. Libero Chloe Sadler made 25 digs plus had three service aces; Mast had 21 digs, seven blocks and an ace; and Ewoldt contributed 18 digs, three blocks and three aces. Freshman setter Avery Foulk and Estling both notched 14 digs apiece. Schneider had a team-high 12 blocks, while also leading at the service line alongside Estling with five aces.

Union moved to 31-4 following the tournament. On Saturday, Oct. 10, the Knights competed in the Clear Creek Amana Invitational, going 3-2 on the day by sweeping Anamosa, Pleasantville and North Scott. The Knights fell to Mid-Prairie 2-1 (18-21, 21-15, 9-15) and the Class 4A fourth-ranked hosts 2-0 (9-21, 9-21).

As of presstime this past Monday, Mast led the NICL-East in assists with 796 – she was also No. 2 in Class 2A and No. 5 across all classes. Schneider led the conference in total blocks with 83 – No. 2 in Class 2A and tied for seventh across all classes. Grimm also led the conference in kills with 290.