JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University volleyball program has announced the signing class for the fall of 2020. These four student-athletes will enter Union this fall as freshmen. Joining the Bulldog volleyball team will be Hannah Blackburn (Nashville, Tenn.), Lauren Burrell (Huntsville, Ala.), Hannah Hampel (Huntsville, Ala.), and Ainsley Hartman (Milton, Ga.). 

Union head coach Darrin McClure said, "The 2020 class for us is going to be a really good one! Not only can all of these girls play the game at a high level they are awesome teammates as well. Adding these four girls to our family, makes us better for sure!"     

Blackburn, a 5-foot-11 outside/opposite hitter, prepped at Lipscomb Academy where she played four years of volleyball. She also played club volleyball for the Tennessee Performance for three seasons and the Ethos Volleyball Club for two seasons. Blackburn helped lead her team to the 2019 Cougar Classic Championship. She started for three seasons, playing at the libero position, before moving to a hitter position. She led her team to the sub-state level as a senior. In club levels, Blackburn played Open and Premier at all national championships where her teams advanced. Off the court, Blackburn was a member of the National Honors Society and was on the honor roll. She is the daughter of JD and Liana Blackburn and is majoring in biology as she works to become a dentist. 

Burrell, a 5-foot-5 defensive specialist/libero, prepped at Grissom High School where she played four years of volleyball. Also played five years of club volleyball for Rocket City Volleyball and one year for United Volleyball Club. Burrell played in multiple travel volleyball tournaments and also played in the 2016 and 2017 USA Volleyball Nationals. She was named MVP of her high school team as a freshman, junior, and senior. She was named Best Defensive Player, second team all-state, all-area twice, and the North Region All-Area team. Burrell career stats included 238 aces (65 as a senior) and 1058 digs. Off the court, Burrell was a member of the National Honors Society, Spanish Honors Society, honor roll all four years, Junior Civitan president, Circle of Friends president, and FCA student leader. She is the daughter of Josh and Jill Burrell and is majoring in business as she works to become an accountant.

Hampel, a 5-foot-7 right side/outside hitter, prepped at Hazel Green High School where she played four years of volleyball. She also played seven years of club volleyball for three different clubs including RCVC, Mid TN, and United Volleyball. Hampel helped lead her high school team to the 2016 state title. She was named second team all-state in 2018, and was a three time all-county selection. As a senior, Hampel posted 491 kills, 81 blocks, and 69 digs. For her career, she played in 433 sets, 11 aces, 197 digs, and 1,204 kills. Off the court, Hampel was a member of the National Honors Society, TRI-AM Honors Society, Varsity Chorus Vice President, school ambassador, HOSA Member, A/B Honor Roll, National Society of HS Scholars, Alabama Girl's State, and Principal Advisory Committee. She is the daughter of Benita and Larry Hampel and is majoring in English as she works to go to Law School and become a prosecutor/lawyer. 

Hartman, a 5-foot-11 setter, prepped at Blessed Trinity Catholic High School where she played four years of volleyball and ran track for three seasons. She also played four years of club volleyball. Hartman helped lead her high school team to the region and state titles in 2019, and a state runner-up finish in 2017. She was named to the JVA Watch List as a sophomore. In track, her best high jump was 5-feet, 2-inches. Hartman was the captain for her club teams. Off the court, Hartman was a member of the National Honors Society, was on the honor roll and summa cum laude every semester, earned the Georgia Certificate of Merit (top 5% of class), earned the award for Outstanding Achievement in Foundations of Government and Geography, and earned the Academic Award for high GPA on the team as a junior. She is the daughter of Michael and Tracey Hartman and is majoring in exercise science as she works to become a physical therapist. 

-UNION-