Playing your best when the stakes are greatest is what every team strives for.

That's exactly what the Union Catholic volleyball squad is doing as the Vikings have caught fire by winning their last seven matches, which has propelled them into a showdown with top-seeded Westfield in the Union County Championship match on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at Harwood Arena at Kean University.

Union Catholic, the defending county champs and the No. 2 seed, continued its postseason surge by dominating sixth-seeded Elizabeth, 25-12, 25-13, in the semifinal round of the Union County Tournament on Monday night at Johnson High School in Clark. It's the third time this season that UC has defeated Elizabeth in 2 sets.

The Vikings, now 18-6 on the season, will now clash with arch rival Westfield, ranked No. 15 in the state, in the championship match. UC will be seeking to avenge two earlier losses to Westfield this season, including a thrilling three-set match earlier this month in Westfield. Westfield (19-5) advanced to the final by defeating Cranford in three sets.

The Vikings are seeking their 15th county championship. UC's titles came in 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2024, all under legendary coach Nancy Saggio.

In the semifinal victory over Elizabeth, senior Alex Landazabal orchestrated the offense with 10 assists, 5 digs, 5 aces and 3 kills, while senior Alyssa Kenol powered the attack with 10 kills, 5 service points, 4 blocks, and 2 aces. Junior Sabrina Capati added 8 assists and 6 digs as UC controlled both sets from start to finish. Mia Taylor (3 digs and 8 service points), Sienna Mabee (3 kills, 2 aces and 8 digs), Ayla Burke (4 digs), Melanie DeWitt (1 kill), and Maria Gialanella (2 digs) all contributed to the balanced performance.