JACKSON, Tenn. - The Union University volleyball team defeated Auburn University in Montgomery 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 13-25, 25-20) Friday night in Fred DeLay Gymnasium, David Blackstock Court. Union improved to 5-13 overall and 1-6 in the Gulf South Conference. AUM dropped to 2-14 on the season and 1-6 overall.
This was the second win of the season over AUM, including a non-conference tilt back in August in the Union University Classic. Union won that match 3-1 also.
Union scored the first two points of the first set and never trailed. Union led by as many as five points three times late in the first set including the 25-20 final. Julia Stuible sealed the first set victory with a kill.
The second set was played just about the same way with Union jumping out to a 3-0 lead to start play. Union never trailed in the second set either and held a six point lead three different times, with the final time at 18-12. AUM rallied back to get to within two points late, including 24-22. Union got a kill to end the set and win 25-22.
Union scored first again in the third set, but the lead was short-lived. AUM took its first lead of the night at 2-1. AUM led 10-8, and then took control of the third. The Warhawks went on a 12-2 run, including nine straight points to lead 22-10. Union managed three points late, but AUM took the set to stay alive, 25-13.
For the first time of the night, AUM scored first in a set. Union responded in a big way, scoring 10 of the next 13 points in the set to lead 10-4. Union rattled off six straight points during that stretch including kills from Sydney Davis and Anna Edwards and three service aces from Carleigh Charles. AUM rallied back to get to within one point at 16-15, but Union responded. The Lady Bulldogs took control again, outscoring AUM 9-5 to win the set and match.
Union led AUM in kills (50-45, aces (9-5), and digs (55-54) with AUM topping Union 7-4 in blocks.
Union was led by Charles with 16 kills and Elizabeth Gilbert with nine. Kylie Creech and Avery Taylor led with 22 and 20 assists respectively. Charles led with four aces, while Gibert had three and Sarah-Kate Savage two. Caileigh Collins led with 16 digs. Carly Edwards led with two blocks.
Union continues its home stand with a 2 p.m. match up, Saturday, October 3 versus Valdosta State University in "The Fred". Union will continue its weekend focus on Impact Collective, raising money for the Union FCA Mission Trip.
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