PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Union University volleyball team defeated the No. 7 seed Auburn Montgomery 3-1 Saturday afternoon at the Gulf South Conference Tournament semi-finals. With this loss, AUM ended their season with an overall record of 17-18 and finished with a GSC record of 8-8. Union improved their overall record to 22-9.
 
Union advances to the GSC Conference Title match where they will be playing the No. 1 seed University of West Florida. This will be the program's first trip to the GSC title match since joining the conference and the NCAA in 2012. Union became postseason eligible in the 2014-15 season.  Prior to joining the NCAA and the GSC, Union has had eight trips to the Conference title match when they were members of the NAIA and TransSouth Conference. Union has a 3-5 record in conference title games, winning the conference title in 1999, 2004, and 2008. They finished runner up in 1998, 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2009.
 
After being asked what the biggest takeaways were from today's game, head coach Stephen Vick said, "A couple key take aways from the game today would be how well we blocked today. We had 14 blocks in 4 sets which is 3.5 blocks/set. Another thing we did well was receiving serves, but something that has been a calling card the last couple matches is the 2:1 ace/error ratio but tonight we completely flip/flopped having 15 service errors. That is going to be a key component for us tomorrow to make sure our serves are in line. Another key for tomorrow's match will be to control the net. I'm excited for these girls, this senior class has come along way and with what they have done over the last four years has been amazing. To have these girls take the team to the Conference title match for the first time in program history since joining the conference is just a testament to them and how hard all these girls have been playing all year."
 
Union hit .221 and AUM hit.051 in today's match. Union also led in kills 48-39, aces 4-3, blocks 13-6, assists 42-34, and digs 60-59.
 
Emily Grace Calhoon and Reese Owens had outstanding performances today. Calhoon led Union in kills with 15 hitting .469 she also led in blocks with 7 and had one service ace. Owens had 13 kills hitting .345 and recorded five blocks and five digs.
 
When Calhoon was asked about today's game she said, "I am super proud of the team and how well we performed today. We had a lot of energy and a lot of fun out there competing. I just thought everyone did their job well and it is just so awesome that we get to have this experience tomorrow."
 
Owens was asked about tomorrow's matchup and her response was, "I think that we are going into tomorrow with our heads held high, the last time we faced West Florida it didn't turn out the best. I think our confidence is the team's strong suit, if we play our own way and only worry about what is happening on our side of the net, we can beat anyone."
 
Union was also led by Bailey Hughes who had two aces, Jordan Vick who had 38 assists, and Sydney Sample who had 14 digs.
 
Up next for Union is a chance to compete for a GSC Conference Championship Title as they take on West Florida who came in as the No. 1 seed. This match is set to take place Sunday November 13 at 12:00 p.m.
 
-UNION-