Union University Athletics

JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University volleyball team posted a 3-0 (25-12, 25-14, 25-21) sweep over Lee University Thursday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 19-12 overall and 10-5 in the Gulf South Conference. Lee dropped to 7-19 on the season and 5-10 in league play. 

The win for Union improved the Lady Bulldog record to 13-3 at home this season, including a 6-1 home record in GSC matches. 

Union head coach Darrin McClure said, "Our girls have fought very hard this year. We knew tonight was going to be hard for a few reasons. Lee is a good team and they took care of us earlier this year. Plus, they were fighting hard for a spot in the postseason after coming off a big win Sunday. I am very proud of the way our girls executed our game plan tonight, too.   

Our team has really relied on our middles this year and tonight was no different. However, what the causal volleyball fan does not realize is the impact of the defensive specialist position. Not the libero, and we have a very good one, but the kids that substitute in and play back-row defense. Haley Ramsey lead us in digs tonight along with Sydney and it was huge. She plays three rotations and did a great job. Proud of this team. They do not care who gets the credit."

Union jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first set including a kill from Laura Rose Gray and an ace from Greta Blakemore. Union continued to pull away, taking a double-digit lead at 18-8. Union took its largest lead of the set with the final, 25-12. 

In the second set, Union scored first as the teams swapped points until Union was the first team to score two points in a row to take a 7-5 lead. Union continued to control the set, pushing out to a 17-11 lead. After Lee cut the deficit to 17-14, Union scored the final eight points of the set for the win. 

Lee took its first lead of the night with a 1-0 start. Union quickly regained the lead, pushing out to a 10-4 lead. Union led 20-14, seemingly cruising to the win. However, Lee rallied to tie the match 21-21. Union, however, stopped the Lee run and scored the final four points of the set to win the match. 

Union was led by Jordan Vick with a double-double including 28 assists and 10 digs. Gray led with 11 kills, the only Union player in double-figure kills. Sydney Sample and Ramsey led Union with 12 digs each. Ramsey led Union with five aces. 

Union hit .314 as a team, to just .039 for Lee. Union led in kills (38-24), aces (11-3), digs (49-30), and blocks (7-6). 

Up next for Union will be senior night and the final home match of the season, Friday, November 12 at 7 p.m. versus Shorter University.

Union has already clinched a spot in next week's GSC Championships in Pensacola, Fla. Visit www.uuathletics.com for tournament seedings following the final match. 

-UNION-