BOLIVAR, Mo. - The Union University volleyball team dropped their final two matches of the Southwest Baptist University Classic. The Lady Bulldogs were shutout in both matches against Harding University and the University of Illinois-Springfield. Union dropped to 3-5 on the season.


The Lady Bulldogs dropped their first match on the day 3-0 against the Harding University Bison. Union took the lead over the Bison, 8-5, thanks to a four point run, but Harding fought back to tie the game 8-8 after a 3-0 run. HU had a slight lead over the Lady Bulldogs, 13-12, and surged ahead of Union with a 12-0 run to expand their lead to 22-12. Harding was able to closeout the set on top, 25-15. 


The Lady Bulldogs took a quick lead in the second set of the match, 3-1, but the Bison were able to work back taking the lead 5-3. HU was able to hold their lead the rest of the set to get the second set win, 25-20. Harding continued their dominant play over Union in the third set to get the set win, 25-12, to shutout the Lady Bulldogs.


Offensively, McKenna Carter and Deja Moorer led Union with five kills each with they help of Hannah Huguley's 15 assists. Carter also led the Lady Bulldogs with six blocks followed by Abbie Rahn with five block. In digs, Rahn led with six while Kristen Goggin and Huguley added five each.


Union continued to struggle going into their second match of the day against the University of Illinois-Springfield. The Lady Bulldogs could not find traction the first set falling 25-12. Union came back the second set to take the early lead 3-0, but UIS battle back with a 6-0 run to take their first lead of the set, 8-5. Later in the set, the Lady Bulldogs were down 16-8, and were able to cut the Illinois-Springfield lead to 16-13 with a five point run. UIS fended off Union's threat with a four point run of their own to bring the score to 20-13. Union ended the Illinois-Springfield rally, and went on a 6-0 run to get within one point of UIS, 20-12. The Lady Bulldog's rally fell short as they lost the second set 25-21. 


Again, Union was able to start the third set with a small lead, but was unable to fend off the University of Illinois-Springfield to drop the set 25-21. The Lady Bulldogs were able to keep the set within three points late in the set, but could not find the momentum. 


Moorer led Union with nine kills and Huguley added 22 assists. Taylor Chiaro led the Lady Bulldogs defensively with 11 digs.


Up next, Union will host their first conference home match of the season against Christian Brothers University Thursday, September 15 at 7pm. The Lady Bulldogs will also host Mississippi College starting at 7pm Friday, September 16. 


-UNION-