JACKSON, Tenn. – The Union University volleyball team posted a 3-1 (25-14, 25-18, 21-25, 28-21) victory over Mississippi College Saturday afternoon at Fred DeLay Gymnasium, David Blackstock Court. Union Improved to 13-4 overall and 6-0 in the Gulf South Conference. Mississippi College dropped to 14-2 overall and 4-2 in the GSC.
The win for Union pushed its winning streak to eight games. The eight straight wins is a record for the longest winning streak for volleyball since joining division II in 2012. It is the longest winning streak since Union volleyball won 10 straight matches in 2010 while still members of the NAIA. The record for consecutive wins in program history is 22 in 1999.
Union pulled out early in the first set and never looked back, leading 12-5 forcing an MC timeout. Union posted runs of 7-1 and 6-1 in the set. In the second set, Union jumped out to a 3-1 lead. After MC tied the set at 4-4, Union took the lead for good. Union slowly pulled away and with a 6-1 run late in the set, led 23-14.
The third started as though Union was going to roll to the 3-0 win. Union led 10-4 early and maintained that 6-point advantage at 16-10. However, Mississippi College proved its resilience and battled back. MC scored 10 of the next 12 points, including a 6-0 run to take its first lead since a 1-0 in the first set. The Choctaws avoided the sweep with a win in set three.
The fourth set was back and forth most of the way. MC used a 4-0 run to take an 18-15 lead, looking to force a fifth set. With MC leading 20-18, Union scored five straight points to take a 23-20 lead. MC rallied and tied the set at 23-23. Union had match point at 25-24, but then MC responded with set point at 26-25. Union closed out the match with three straight points capped off by a kill from
Alyssa Tatsch.
In today's win, Union hit .304 and led in kills 51-46. Union controlled the net leading in blocks 8-4, they also led in service aces 12-8. The Mississippi College led in assists 45-40 and both teams finished with 43 digs a piece.
Emily Grace Calhoon led the team with 14 kills,
Bailey Hughes led the team with six aces,
Jordan Vick led in assists with 34,
Sydney Sample led in digs with 15, and
Sidney Hegg and
Mikiah Perdue led the team in blocks each with four.
Up next for Union is a road match as the team heads west to Memphis to take on Christian Brothers. The first set of the match is set to take place Tuesday, October 4 at 6 p.m.
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