MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Union University volleyball team posted a 3-1 (13-25, 25-21, 25-16, 25-23) at Christian Brothers University Tuesday night. Union improved to 7-24 overall and 3-11 in the Gulf South Conference. Christian Brothers dropped to 12-18 on the season and 3-11 in league play.
 
Union lost the first set 25-13, but rallied back to win three straight sets. Union dominated the serve with 11 aces in the match to just one for CBU. Union also controlled the net, out blocking the Bucs 9-5. Union hit .400 with 13 kills in the 25-16 third set win. Union added 16 kills in the clinching fourth set win, 25-23.
 
Union head coach Darrin McClure said, "Resilience is what comes to mind when I think about tonight. The first set was not good. They scored easily the first set. I felt after that set, we settled down defensively led by Abbie Rahn. I credit both our setters with the drastic improvement in our offense the last two sets. They distributed the ball to the right hitters at the right time. They played great and we needed it from them."
 
Christian Brothers never trailed in the first set as they cruised to the 25-13 win. CBU edged Union 3-2 in the previous meeting at Union back in September.
 
In the second set, Union never trailed and led by as many as seven points before holding off a late CBU run to win 25-21. With Union leading 24-17, CBU scored four straight, but lost the set on a service error.
 
CBU jumped out to a 4-2 early lead in the third set, before Union rattled off four straight to take the 6-4 lead. The set was tied 10-10 when Union stormed out to a 19-12 lead. Union never looked back, cruising to the 25-16 win. Delaney Peterson's kill was the set winner.
 
The fourth set was back and forth most of the way. Union led 4-1 early, then CBU scored four straight to lead 5-4. After several lead changes, CBU went on another 4-0 run and led 13-10. CBU added to its lead and seemed to be on course to tie the match with a 20-15 lead. Union then scored four straight points to get back in the set. Back-to-back kills from Haley Ramsey and Christa Karns tied the set at 22-22. CBU took the lead again 23-22, but it was Union scoring the final three points for the win. Ramsey's kill was the match winner.
 
Union was led by Meghan Delaney with eight kills and Karns with seven kills. Rebecca Sexton led with 17 assists, while Claressa Kohler added 10 assists. Sexton led with four aces, while Kohler added three aces. Five different Union players recorded an ace. Kristen Bukowsky led with eight blocks and Abbie Rahn led with 22 digs.
 
Up next for Union will be the final two matches of the season, both at home. Union host Lee at 7 p.m. Friday night and then Shorter, Saturday at 7 p.m. It is also Homecoming weekend for Union.
 
-UNION-