ROME, Ga. - The Union University women's volleyball team posted a 3-1 (34-36, 25-17, 25-23, 25-23) victory at Shorter University to close out the regular season. Union improved to 20-11 overall and 12-4 in the Gulf South Conference. Shorter ended the season 10-21 on the year and 3-13 in league play. 

The 20 wins for Union is the most for the volleyball program in the NCAA D2 era (2012-present) and is the most in a season since 24 wins in 2010. The 12 GSC wins is also the most since joining the GSC in 2012, the most league wins since 13 in 2010. 

Union also needed to win in order to keep hopes alive for a 4-seed in the GSC Tournament. A Union win, coupled with a Montevallo loss versus Alabama Huntsville (which happened about two hours after Union's win) clinched the 4-seed. Union now has a first-round bye and only has to play one game Friday, November 22 on the first day of the GSC Tournament at regular season champion, West Florida. Union will face the winner of 5-seeded Montevallo and 8-seeded Mississippi College. 

Union head coach Darrin McClure said, "This team has been motivated since the first day of preseason seeing our team ranked at the bottom of the conference. I am very proud of how they have loved each other and played for each other all year. Winning today and securing a 4-seed in the tournament makes me really happy for this team. We are not done yet and look forward to the challenge of the tournament."

Union led Shorter in kills (67-65) and in blocks (12-10). Shorter led 60-54 in assists, while aces were even 4-4, and digs were even 75-75. Union hit .256, while Shorter hit .191. 

Shorter won the first set in a marathon, 36-34. Union jumped out to a 5-1 lead, but Shorter rallied to lead 9-7. The teams went back and forth for the rest of the way. Shorter had the first set point at 24-23. Shorter had five straight set points, but Union answered each one. Union had its first set point at 29-28. Union had a total of three set points with the final one coming 33-32. Shorter had a total of nine set points. 

In the second set, Shorter led 11-9, but Union was finally able to take control. four straight points gave Union the lead for good. Union cruised to the 25-17 win. 

Sets three and four were played closely all the way, both ending 25-23 in favor of Union. Union was able to cap off the match with three straight points in the fourth set. 

Union was led by NCAA D2 kills leader, Meghan Delaney, with 18 kills. Emily Grace Calhoon and Alyssa Tatsch added 14 and 12 kills respectively. Abbie Rahn led with three aces, Calhoon led with seven blocks, Jordan Vick led with 50 aces, and Rahn led with 22 digs. 

-UNION-