ROME -- The Lady Hawks are one win away from officially clinching a spot in the Gulf South Conference tournament after knocking off current league leader, West Florida, 3-2 Friday evening from the Winthrop-King Centre.

With the win, Shorter moves to 8-0 at home and 3-0 in 5-set matches on the season; while improving to 17-6 overall and 12-3 in the GSC. West Florida, who entered the game with an eight game win streak in conference play, move to 19-7 overall and 12-2 in the GSC.

Throughout most of the match, the teams traded points; keeping things close. West Florida opened the game with a 25-20 win in the set one, before the Lady Hawks bounced back in the second with a 25-22 victory. The Argos then regained the advantage with a 25-11 win in set three, but again Shorter came back; forcing a deciding set on a 27-25 win the fourth frame.

In the final set; which the Lady Hawks won 15-12, the teams once again traded points. But, with the game tied 7-7, Shorter pulled away; thanks to four straight points to make it an 11-7 contest. The Argos cut the lead to one on a 3-0 run of their own, but the Lady Hawks countered with three to set up match point, 14-10. West Florida rallied to two, but Shorter answered with the game's final point on a kill from Tiffani Estep.

Estep led the attack for Shorter, turning in 13 kills on the night; while Kelsi Jones added 12 and Elizabeth Dowd chipped in the 11. Shorter also added five aces on the night with Cheyenne Frady leading the way with two. Frady also added 26 assists, to go along with 23 from Alli bell. 

On the receiving end, four finished in double-figures with Cheyenne McLemore posted a team high 22. Morgan Cleveland added 14 in the effort, and both Dowd (12) and Frady (10) completed double-doubles on the night with their digs totals. At the net, the Lady Hawks stood firm, with Estep recording a team high five; while Dowd and BreAnna Thompson each finished with four (two solo and two assisted).

The Lady Hawks will look to keep the momentum going Saturday, October 29, when they welcome Valdosta State to the Winthrop-King Centre for a 12:00pm start.