Box Score

JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University volleyball team posted a 3-1 (25-16, 25-23, 21-25, 25-20) win over the University of North Alabama Tuesday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 9-20 on the season and 4-12 in the Gulf South Conference. North Alabama dropped to 6-22 overall and 4-12 in league play.
 
Union has won five of their last seven home matches, including two straight. Tonight's match marked the final home match of the 2013 season with Union going 7-6 at home.
 
It was also senior night for Union, honoring the lone senior Jami Humphries. Humphries has spent the past four seasons playing for Union. She has been named NCCAA Scholar-Athlete, TranSouth Scholar-Athlete, earned a spot on the Gulf South Academic Honor Roll, and was a part of Union's 2010 TranSouth Conference Regular Season Championship. Humphries started the match and finished with 12 digs and one serving ace.
 
"Getting the win tonight was so huge," said Humphries. "I am so proud of the team, especially after getting down early in set two. Everyone stepped up to earn this win. I'm so thankful for my teammates for playing so hard tonight. It was a special night for me. We are looking to continue to bring the intensity as we look to close out the season with a bang."
 
Union jumped out to a quick 10-2 lead in the first set. North Alabama closed the gap to 14-12 and 17-15, but Union cruised late for the 25-16 win.
 
The second set started with North Alabama pushing out to a 6-3 lead. Union responded to tie the set at 8-8. The set featured 10 ties and three lead changes, with the last tied score being 23-23. Union used back-to-back kills from Savannah Hughes and Hannah Huguley to up 2-0
 
In the third set, Union led early 6-3, but quickly lost the lead following a 5-1 run by the Lions. The set stayed close with five ties and five lead changes, before North Alabama pushed to a 25-21.
 
North Alabama continue the momentum from the third set with four straight points to start the fourth set. Union responded with a 9-2 run to lead 9-6. North Alabama tied the set at 13-13,but Union quickly regained control at 17-13. Union maintained the lead for the remainder of the set with Hughes getting her team-high 12^th kill of the night on the final point to clinch the 3-1 victory.
 
Hughes says, "It was nice to get the win in four. We really wanted to win for Jami and we were able to do that. We have been getting better in practice and our team is making definite improvements."
 
Union was led by Hughes with 12 kills, while Abbey Wainwright added 10 kills. Hughes pushed her career kills total to 724 , while Wainwright just surpassed the 500 career kills mark with 510. Kristin Cook entered the match with 499 career kills and her five kills on the evening pushed her total to 504. Lydia Wright led with 42 assists, pushing her career assist total to 1,475. Union served up 13 aces in the match, led by Morgan Morfe with five and Elise Seufert with four. Seufert led with 26 digs, while Mallory Baker and Hughes had a block each.
 
North Alabama was led by Natash Fomina with a match-high 15 kills. Megan Gorey added 12. Hope Rayburn led with 35 assists and two aces, while Shantel Federick led with 22 digs. Victoria Quintanilla led with three blocks.
 
Union will close out the regular season this weekend on the road with a pair of conference matches at Valdosta State (Ga.) and West Georgia Friday and Saturday. Union will then moved on to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) MidEast Region Tournament November 22-23 at Lee University.
 
#UNION#