With the race for the final few spots in the Gulf South Conference Tournament heating up the Lee volleyball team scored an important, 3-1 victory over Union University on Tuesday evening from Walker Arena.

The Lady Flames improve to 9-10 overall and are now 5-6 in the GSC as they avenged a loss at Union earlier in the season. The Bulldogs sit at 7-15 and 4-7.

Lee sophomore libero MaKayla Beebe got the Lady Flames off to a fast start with four aces in the first two sets including three straight in the 25-13 first set victory. As usual, Beebe flew around the back of the court and added 18 digs.

"I'd been struggling a little bit with my serve so today I was trying to get back in my groove and coach told me to serve deep and that's what I tried to do," said Beebe. "My blockers do a great job of setting up and that tells me where to go and also just having the attitude of nothing drops." 

In set two The Bulldogs put together their most complete game of the night to outlast the Lady Flames 26-24. Lee would fire back however with two very convincing wins in the final two sets outscoring Union 50-29.

Senior Catherine Conley made her presence felt early in the match with some powerful kills from the middle blocker position to jump start the Lady Flames. Conley finished with eight slams on a sizzling .412 hitting percentage and had four blocks.

"We've been encouraging our middles to get into the offense. Cat (Conley) was on fire tonight and did a great job for us from the start," head coach Andrea Hudson said. "In order for the middles to be successful though it takes that back row and MaKayla Beebe played really well tonight and is adjusting nicely in her first year in the libero spot."

Silvia Sartori led the team with 20 kills to lead the offense and 19 digs to pace the defensive effort. Sadie Johnson set things up with 24 assists while Kristi Farley rotated in at the setter spot and had 20.

As a team the Lady Flames were very efficient hitting at a .290 clip for the match. "We talked with our girls and laid out exactly what needs to happen in order for us to make the tournament and winning our home matches is very important to making that happen," added Hudson. "I think we know what's in front of us and we are ready for the challenge."

Deja Moorer (16) and Katie O'Malley (12) had double-figure kill efforts for the visiting Bulldogs. Hannah Huguley helped set up the offense as she dished off a match high 36 assists.

The Lady Flames will now gear up for a tough road trip as they visit North Alabama on Friday at 7 p.m. and Alabama Huntsville Saturday at 3 p.m.