Box Score

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University volleyball team posted their second straight Gulf South Conference win with a 3-2 (25-20, 25-19, 10-25, 21-25, 15-11) over the University of West Georgia. Union improved to 6-14 on the season, and 2-6 in GSC play. West Georgia dropped to 9-6 overall and 4-4 in league play.
                   
For the first time since joining the Gulf South Conference last season, Union has won back-to-back conference matches.
 
Union sophomore middle blocker, Mallory Baker says, "Today was awesome! It took a while for us to come together as a team. But these two wins have brought us to another level." Union knocked off Valdosta State (Ga.) Friday night in straight sets. Entering the weekend, Valdosta State was second in the league standings while West Georgia was third.
 
Hannah Huguley, a freshman outside hitter, added, "For us, it is a turning point in the season. We are finally settling into how we know we can play. So we expect a lot more matches like this."
 
Union fell behind early as West Georgia jumped out to a 14-7 lead in the first set. However, Union slowly settled down and rallied to tie the match at 17-17. As a part of a 6-0 run, Union jumped out to a 19-17 lead and never trailed again in the set.
 
In the second set, Union and West Georgia swapped blows early as Union led 13-12 midway through the set. Union then posted a 5-0 run to build a lead and cruised to the 25-19 win.
 
In the third set, things started much the same with the team swapping points with West Georgia clinging to a 7-6 lead. However, West Georgia proved they did not want to end their match in three sets. The Wolves posted a 8-0 run to start stretch where West Georgia outscored Union 15-3. Union fell 25-10 to force a fourth set.
 
The fourth set featured 10 ties and six lead changes and neither team led by more than four points. West Georgia forced a fifth set with the 25-21 win.
 
In the fifth set, Union and West Georgia went back and forth with seven ties and three lead changes. Union led 4-2 early, while West Georgia rallied for a 9-8 lead. Union responded and tied the match at 10-10. Union then scored four straight points to push the set to match point at 14-10. After a point for West Georgia, Union's Baker sealed the match with a kill.
 
Union was led by Huguley with 13 kills, while Baker added 11 kills. Lydia Wright led with 36 assists, Jami Humphries led with three aces, Elise Seufert led with 16 digs, while eight different players posted one block each.
 
West Georgia was led by Emily Ruel with 15 kills and Teisha Alson with 12 kills. Amanda Miller led with 39 assists, Ruel and Samantha Drane led with one ace each, Melissa Holt led with 16 digs, and Kendall Williams led with three blocks.
 
Up next for Union is a GSC road match at North Alabama, Tuesday, October 15.
 
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