JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University volleyball team posted a non-conference victory over Harding University 3-1 (25-16, 29-27, 18-25, 25-19) Tuesday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 15-7 overall, while Harding dropped to 10-7 on the season. 

Prior to the match, the Bulldogs honored Union alumnus, Stacy Nolen Wolfe for her ongoing battle with breast cancer. 

The win was the first victory for Union over Harding, now 1-5 vs. the Bisons since the Bulldogs moved to Division 2 in 2012. 

Union head coach Darrin McClure said, "It feels really good to get that win. Harding is a very good team coached by a great coach. One of our core values is grit and tonight we lived that out. I thought we played gritty because we did not play our best statistical match by any means but we found a way to win. Could not be more proud of them."

Union started the match on fire with three straight points, including kills from Alyssa Tatsch and Greta Blakemore. Union continued to push and jumped out to a 7-2 lead, forcing a Harding timeout. Union went on to dominate the first set, winning 25-16. 

In the second set, Union seemed to be riding the same momentum, jumping out to a 7-0 lead. It all started with an ace from Jordan Vick and included kills from Emily Grace Calhoon and two kills from Tatsch. Harding settled in and slowly chipped away at the Union lead. Late in the set, Harding tied the set for the first time and took its first lead at 23-22. After a Union timeout, Harding went set point at 24-22. Union responded and regained the lead for set points at 26-25, 27-26, and 28-27. A kill from Laura Rose Gray gave Union the 28th point and a kill from the setter, Vick won the second set for Union, 29-27. 

The third set had Harding take a 1-0 lead for just its second lead of the night to this point. Union scored the next point, but Harding continued to build the lead, going up 13-4. Harding stretched its lead to as many as 10, 23-13. Union scored four straight points to cut the deficit to 23-17, but the rally was stopped as Harding won the set, 25-18

The fourth set was close all the way. With the set tied 12-12, Union took the lead with two points including a kill from Tatsch. Union maintained control slowly extending its lead to 21-17, forcing a second Harding timeout. The Bulldogs scored twice right out of the timeout to lead 23-17. After a Harding point, Union got to match point at 24-18 following a kill from Gray. After another Harding point, Union won the match on Gray's 11th kill of the match. 

Union hit .184 while Harding hit .097. Union also dominated in blocks, 13-4, and led in digs (104-96). Harding led in kills (51-49), assists (41-40), and aces (6-2). 

Union was led by Tatsch with a match-high 14 kills. She completed her double-double with 20 digs. Gray added 11 kills and Blakemore finished with seven kills and 12 digs. Jordan Vick also posted a double-double with 36 assists and 21 digs, while adding five kills. Sydney Sample and Haley Ramsey added 18 and 16 digs respectively. Calhoon led with five blocks while adding six kills. Gray and Owens added four and three blocks respectively. Haley Ramsey reached 500 career digs in the win tonight with her 16 digs in the match. 

Union will continue to play out of conference this week as the Lady Bulldogs travel to Winter Haven, Florida for the South Region Crossover Classic Friday and Saturday. Union will face Sunshine Conference teams, Barry, No. 17 Nova Southeastern, and Lynn. 

-UNION-