JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University volleyball team defeated Shorter University 3-0 (30-28, 25-18, 25-18) Friday night at Fred DeLay Gymnasium/David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 20-12 overall and 11-5 in the Gulf South Conference. Shorter dropped to 16-14 on the season and 9-6 in league play. 

Union head coach Darrin McClure said, "This team!!!! They keep surprising me. I love the way they love each other. Cannot say enough good things about them. The difference for us is our leadership. It's a shared thing and many are in to fill that role. We are so thankful for the fan support tonight and appreciate everyone coming out. Let's go Bulldogs"

Union also notched 20 wins for the second straight full season dating back to 2019 when Union finished the year with 21 wins and a semifinal appearance in its first GSC Tournament. 

With this match, Union was hoping to avenge a 3-0 loss at Shorter earlier in the season, a match played without starting setter Jordan Vick. Union was also looking to snap a senior night four-match losing skid. Both of those goals were met in the final home match of the season, honoring five seniors with a key GSC victory. Haley Ramsey, Alyssa Tatsch, Laura Rose Gray, Grace Roberts, and Adna Alihodzic were all recognized prior to the game. 

It took Union a while to get rolling in the first set. Shorter led 11-6 before Union began to slowly chip away at the deficit. Despite Union keeping it close, Shorter was able to run off three straight points late in the set to lead 21-15. Union then took over. A kill from Laura Rose Gray and an ace from Haley Ramsey were a part of a 5-0 run for Union. After Shorter stopped the run with a point to lead 22-20, Union scored four more points to take a 24-22 lead. Tatsch added two kills during that run. The teams then went back and forth before Union took the set 30-28. 

In the second set, it was close early, then Union jumped out to a 16-11 lead. Shorter responded with seven straight points to lead 18-16. Union then posted a huge run of its own, scoring the final nine points of the set to take a commanding 2-0 lead. 

Union held a comfortable lead most of the way through the third set, pulling away late for the 25-18 win. The final point for Union was senior Haley Ramey's game-high sixth ace of the match. 

Emily Grace Calhoon led Union with 15 kills. Ramsey led with six aces, while Sample added four aces. Gray, Tatsch, and Calhoon each led with two blocks apiece. Jordan Vick had 29 assists and Tatsch led with 12 digs. 

Union hit .282, while Shorter hit .191. Shorter led Union in kills (42-41), assists (38-31), and digs (47-44). Union dominated in aces (12-3) and also led in blocks (6-3). Shorter had 20 attack errors to just 10 for Union. 

Up next for Union will be the GSC Championships in Pensacola, Florida, November 19-21. Being a 3-seed, Union gets a first-round bye and will play the winner of the 6/7 seed game Friday night in the quarterfinals. The semifinals are Saturday and the Championship is Sunday afternoon. 

-UNION-