JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University volleyball team defeated Bethel University 3-0 (25-10, 26-24, 31-29) Tuesday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium. Union improved to 1-8, while Bethel dropped to 3-1. 

Union started hot the first set, jumping out to a 13-4 lead. Bethel got six of the next nine points to keep it close, but Union again pulled away with the final nine points to win 25-10. 

Bethel jumped up 0-4 in the second set. Bethel's biggest lead of the set was 23-15. Union, however, stormed back and win the second set, 26-24. 

Union jumped out ahead of Bethel in the third set, leading 7-4 and 9-6. But the Lady Wildcats slowly rallied back to tie the set at 17-17. The set was back and forth the rest of the way. Bethel led 23-21, but Union scored three straight to lead 24-23. Bethel took set point at 25-24 and 26-25, but Union answered both times. Union had set point at 27-26, 28-27, and 29-28, but Bethel also answered all three times. Then with the set tied 29-29, Union got a kill Abbie Rahn and a block from Rebecca Sexton to win the set 31-29 and take the match. 

Union was led by Delaney Peterson and Kristen Bukowsky with seven kills each, while Meghan Delaney and Christa Karns added six kills. Sexton led with 22 assists and Abbie Rahn led with 17 digs. Peterson led with seven blocks, while Karns added five blocks. Anna Claire Winchester led with three aces.  

Up next for Union is the Union University Volleyball Classic starting with Lane College Friday, September 7th at 3 p.m. and Lemoyne-Owen at 7 p.m.

-UNION-