HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Union University volleyball team fell in their Gulf South Conference opener at the University of Alabama Huntsville 3-2 (24-26, 23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 16-14). Union dropped to 2-3 on the season and 0-1 in the GSC. Alabama Huntsville improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in league play.
 
Union jumped out to a 2-0 lead after winning the first two sets by two points each. However, Alabama Huntsville rallied to win three straight in front of their home crowd.
 
The first set had seven ties and two lead changes before Union won 26-24. In the second set, Union led for the entire set and won 25-23. The third and fourth sets, there were a combined 10 ties and three lead changes with UAH evening the match at 2-2.
 
The fifth set was the closest of all, featuring eight ties and six lead changes. Union led jumped out to a 4-1 lead, before UAH rallied with five straight points. After the set was tied 13-13, Union moved to game point after a service ace from Lydia Wright put the score at 14-13. However, UAH had one last rally and scored the match's final three points to complete comeback.
 
Last season, Union was 4-4 in five set matches, and had won three straight five set matches including one already this season. Union is 1-1 this season in five set matches.
 
Union was led by Deja Moorer with 15 kills. Kristin Cook and Mallory Baker added 13 and 12 kills each. Wright led dished out 45 assists and was second with 20 digs. Cook led with four aces, Elise Seufert led with 25 digs, and Baker led with seven blocks.
 
UAH's Anna Claire Johnson led with 17 kills, Kristen Giles led with 36 assists and four aces, Kennedie Lariscy led with 19 digs, and Haley Snyder led with seven blocks.
 
Up next for Union is their home opener for 2014. Union will hosts West Alabama Friday, September 14 at 7 p.m. Union is also at home Saturday, September 13 at 2 p.m. versus Mississippi College. Both games are league games.
 
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