MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Union University Lady Bulldogs won their first Gulf South Conference match of the season against their league opener at Christian Brothers University 3-2 (19-25, 16-25, 26-24, 25-22, 16-14).

Union head coach Darrin McClure said, "We did not play our best volleyball but we wend out and gave it everything we had and that was the difference. We knew we wanted it more and in the end we proved that by leaving everything we had on the court and playing for each other."

Union has now won two straight matches on the season. 

The first set for the Lady Bulldogs started off slow. The Lady Bucs lead the game at 18-8. Union got as close at six points late, but went down 25-19.

In the second set, the Lady Bulldogs started the game down 4-0. Then, went on a five point run giving Unioin the lead 5-4. Union lost their momentum when Christian Brothers went on a 6-0 run later in the set, and the Lady Bucs cruised to 25-16 set victory.

The third set put some life into Union. In the set, the score was tied 11 times. The Lady Bulldogs were down 19-16 before scoring four straight points, taking a 20-19 lead. However, Union was down 24-23 and facing match point. However, Union rattled off three straight points to win the set 26-24 and stay alive.

The Lady Bulldogs continued their strong performance going into the fourth set. Union started the set ahead 4-1. Possession of the ball changed five times in the points after bringing the score to 6-4 in favor of Union. Later in the set, Union was ahead 22-16 when the Lady Bucs went on a 5-0 run putting them back in striking distance. A timeout by Union brought back the Lady Bulldogs focus, and they sealed their second win of the match 25-22.

In the decisive fifth set, Union was down 4-1 early in the game. A kill by Hannah Huguley broke the Lady Bucs momentum. The Lady Bulldogs came back to tie the set at 5-5 after a 3-0 run. Then, for the second time in the match, Union was facing match point, down 14-13. But again as in set three, Union closed out with three straight points to get the match victory.

Union's lone senior Elise Seufert said, "I am proud of our perseverance. We are continuing to learn what it takes to put ourselves in positions to be successfull. We played terrible volleyball in the match early as well as playing some of our best volleyball of the season late in the match. We have to learn to be consistent."

Union was led by Deja Moorer with 16 kills on the night and Huguley with 40 assists. Casi Neff had seven blocks on the night, and Elise Seufert added 19 digs to give the Lady Bulldogs the win.

Union continued their GSC leading block performance, out blocking CBU 13-2.

Up next for Union is a conference match at Mississippi College September 18. The Lady Bulldogs next home match will be September 22 when they take on the Shorter Lady Hawks.

#UNION#