JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University volleyball team lost 3-2 (25-21, 18-25, 25-23, 16-25, 16-14) on the first day of the Union University Volleyball Classic. Union dropped to 6-3 on the season, while Arkansas Tech improved to 6-3 overall.

Union jumped out to an early lead in the first set. However, Arkansas Tech rallied to overtake Union and win 25-21. In the second set, Union once again jumped out to the early advantage, but again, Arkansas Tech rallied. Union scored 10 of the final 13 points in the second set to win 25-18. In the third set, the teams went back and forth. Arkansas Tech led 22-18, but Union rattled off five straight points to lead 23-22. Arkansas Tech scored the final three points to take a 2-1 advantage. 

In the fourth set, Union was strong early in the set once again, leading 7-2. Union controlled the entire set, pushing out to a 23-13 lead before evening the match at 2-2 with a 25-16 win. 

In the fifth set, the teams went back and forth. Arkansas Tech led 13-11, but Union scored three straight points to reach match point first at 14-13. But Arkansas Tech responded with three straight points, including a match-clinching ace to win 16-14. 

In a very close match all the way, Union led the majority of the stat categories including hitting percentage (.231-.187), aces (11-8), blocks (14-4), digs (74-62), and total points (108-100). Arkansas Tech led in kills (58-53) and assists (51-42).

Jordan Vick led Union with 11 kills and 36 assists. Laura Rose Gray added 10 kills and three blocks. Alyssa Tatsch and Emily Grace Calhoon led with four blocks each, Calhoon added nine kills, while Tatsch added eight kills. Sydney Sample led with 24 digs, while Bailey Hughes led with four aces. 

Up next for Union will be two more matches in the Union Volleyball Classic. Union played Southern Arkansas (1 p.m.) and Carson Newman (5 p.m.) Saturday, September 18. 

-UNION-