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The Lady Bulldog
Volleyball team is enjoying early success in only their third
season.
Head Coach Brian Dunn, reaching his 100th
career win in less than three seasons, has led the Lady Bulldogs
to an overall record of 107-23 in the short history of women's
volleyball at Union. Since October 21, 1998, Union has won 29
straight home matches. On September 18th of this
season, the Lady Lions from Freed Hardeman threatened the streak.
Union was down 2 games to 0 before the Lady Bulldogs stormed back
with three wins to take the match.
On the season, Union is currently 29-4
overall and 8-1 in the conference. The Lady Bulldogs have clinched
their second straight regular season TranSouth Conference
Championship. In 1999, Union claimed the TranSouth Tournament
Championship and is looking to repeat as champions again in 2000.
Union will host the NAIA Region XI Tournament November 16-18.
Coach Brian Dunn is very excited about this because of his team’s
success in Fred DeLay Gymnasium. This will mark the third trip in
their three-year history to participate in the tournament. The
Lady Bulldogs finished 3rd in 1998 and 2nd
in 1999.
The NCCAA MidEast Region has been owned by
the Lady Bulldogs. Union has won the NCCAA MidEast Region
Tournament three straight seasons (1998-2000). Coach Dunn, and
junior outside hitter, Lauren Hayden won the NCCAA MidEast Region
Coach and Player of the Year respectively. Hayden, along with
Emily Van Dam, Andrea Darr, and Liz Travis were recently named to
the All-Region team.
Union’s Lauran Hayden has left her mark on
her team as well as the NAIA. She currently holds the 4th
and 5th spots for the most kills in a season in the
NAIA record books. Hayden, a junior from Belleville, Illinois, has
already surpassed the 2400 career kills mark. She is only 300 away
from the NAIA national record for kills in a career. Depending on
the number of games the Lady Bulldogs can play in the postseason,
Lauren could be at or close to the 2728 kills needed for the
record.
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