ROME, Ga. - The Union University volleyball team posted a 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-21) win at Shorter University Friday night. Union improved to 20-9 overall and 13-2 in the Gulf South Conference. Shorter dropped to 15-17 overall and 7-8 in league play. 

With the win, Union clinched the No. 2 seed in next week's Gulf South Conference Tournament. And with that No. 2 seed, Union also earns a double bye which advances the team all the way to the semifinals next Saturday. 

The No. 2 seed will be the highest seed for Union volleyball since joining the GSC in 2012. Union has been a three seed twice. This will be the program's fourth GSC Tournament appearance, all coming in the last four years. 

Union scored first in the first two sets on its way to a 2-0 sets lead. Union dominated play, never trailing in either of the first two sets. In the third set, Shorter scored the first three points. However, Union scored the next four points to take the lead. Union held the lead for the majority of the final set. Shorter stayed close and took a brief 20-19 lead. Again, Union responded and close the match with a 6-1 run. Reese Owens had two kills in that final run for Union. 

Union hit .299 in the match, while Shorter hit .131. Despite Union controlling play most of the way, the teams were even in kills, 36-36. The difference was Shorter's 19 attack errors to just seven for Union. Union also controlled the serve, leading in aces 7-1, and also the net, leading in blocks 6-4. Union led in assists, 33-30, and digs, 43-36. 

Alyssa Tatsch posted an outstanding stat line, recording her second double-double of the season. She had a team high 10 kills, three aces, 11 digs, and three blocks. Sidney Hegg tied Tatsch with three blocks, while Jordan Vick led with 25 assists. Bailey Hughes also recorded double figure digs with 10. 

Up next for Union will be the final regular season match of the year, Friday, November 4 at Lee at 6 p.m. central time. 

After this, Union heads to the GSC Tournament and will play its first match in the semifinals, Saturday, November 12 in Pensacola, Fla. Follow www.uuathletics.com for times and opponents as they are determined. 

-UNION-