BARBOURVILLE, Ky. - The goal is life for many is to leave their mark and to leave a legacy to be admired and revered. The senior members of the 2009 Union College volleyball squad are doing just that.

Need proof? Here is a quick rundown of some of their accomplishments:

• Two Appalachian Athletic Conference regular-season championships - the only ones in program history;
• One Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament championship - another program first;
• A first-ever berth to the NAIA National Championship Tournament;
• A program-record 34 victories in 2007;
• 109 wins (and hopefully still counting) in four years - 18 more than any other class in program history;
• A program-best winning percentage this season .879 (29-4 overall) - previous record was .703 (26-11 in 2003).

Such is the legacy that Sarah Alderson (Birmingham, Ala.), Autumn Combs (Florence, Ky.), Meg Donnelly (Middletown, Ohio), Christina Prindle (Florence, Ky.) and Brooke Vinovich (Somerset, Ky.) will leave behind.

"This class has been a huge part of the rise of our volleyball program," said Lady Bulldog coach Whitney Elam. "All five of them are great kids on and off the court, and they all contribute to the team in some form or fashion."

Union will make their first-ever NAIA National Tournament appearance Saturday at 6 p.m. when it takes on Shawnee State (Ohio) University in the opening round. The winner will advance to Sioux City, Iowa, and in the 24-team field at the final site.

What has been remarkable about this year's class is that while they have produced solid numbers year-in and year-out, the spotlight has eluded them for one reason or another.

"There has always been a strong class in front of these girls," Elam said. "There has always been good leadership and strong players in front of them. It's just now that they are getting what is due to them, and they so richly deserve it."

Vinovich is one of only three players in program history to amass over 1,300 kills in a career as she is 17 away from the 1,400 mark.

A leader by example, the 6-foot Vinovich is having one of her best seasons with a .311 hitting percentage, 247 kills and 58 total blocks.

"Brooke is not real vocal, but she sets a great example with her work ethic," Elam said. "She's our most reliable hitter and really improved her blocking this season."

A team player, Vinovich moved from outside hitter to right side this season and did not miss a beat. In fact, her hitting percentage improved .129 percentage points from her junior season.

"I was concerned about moving her. I really wasn't sure how she would take to it. However, Brooke has taken to the role and shown why she's one of the conference's top hitters," Elam said.

A steady contributor throughout her career, Combs will leave Union with two career records under her belt.

"Autumn has developed into an incredible leader for us," Elam said. "While she has always been the best blocker in the conference her entire career, she has really become an offensive threat for us."

Combs became the program's all-time blocks leader early on during junior season and currently has 693 to her credit. In addition, she will leave with a .306 career hitting percentage, which is .042 percentage points better than the previous program record.

While she has also been a force to be reckoned with by would-be hitters, Combs is averaging 2.27 kills per set, by far her best average to date.

"We've always counted on her for blocks," Elam said. "But she has really stepped up her game offensively this season."

Donnelly has been a pleasant surprise this season.

Depended for her defense in seasons past, Donnelly delivered 220 of her 296 career kills this season alone.

"She has always been a role player for us. Meg has always been there for us defensively and in serving," Elam noted. "But this year, she has really come through for us offensively, and I'm not sure we could've been as successful as we've been without her this year."

Donnelly has 1,066 digs and 244 service aces to her credit.

During the conference tournament, Donnelly came through with 27 kills including 11 in the championship match and 12 service aces in earning Tournament MVP honors.

"She has worked for this," Elam added. "Meg has worked hard for this, and I could not be happier for her."

Prindle has been the defensive wiz for the Lady Bulldogs throughout her career. With 1,596 career digs, she is 12 away from becoming the all-time digs leader in program history.

But it's her attitude that really sparks the team.

"No one show more enthusiasm and work ethic. She's ready to play whether it's a practice, a game or whatever," Elam said.

"Christina is a great kid and is the heart and soul of our team."

In addition to her defensive skills, Prindle is a master in putting the ball in play as her 237 career service aces indicate.

Though her stats do not stand out like her four classmates, Alderson has truly made her presence felt. In the semifinal match of the conference tournament, she came through with four aces with three in a row in the opening set to help Union to a 3-0 sweep of Milligan (Tenn.) College.

"Sarah is a very solid server and can play multiple positions on the back row," Elam said.

Alderson has amassed 654 digs and 103 aces in her career.

More than just what she does on the court, Alderson helps out in several other ways as well.

"The girls call her ‘mom' because of the way she just takes care of them and makes sure everyone has what they need," Elam said. "Sarah always has extra spandex and knee pads just in case someone might need them."

All in all, it is safe to say these five seniors have left their mark on the Lady Bulldog volleyball program and leave a big void to fill.

"They are going to be hard to replace,' Elam said. "This is the closest group I have ever coached. They've got great chemistry, work well together and really look out for one another. You just can't replace that."