ROME, Ga. — The Shorter Hawks volleyball team delivered an impressive performance at home, sweeping Southern Wesleyan University in straight sets (26-24, 25-22, 25-20) at the Winthrop-King Centre in Rome, Georgia. The Hawks improve to 8-8 overall and 3-2 in Conference Carolinas play, while Southern Wesleyan fell to 4-6 (1-3 in conference).
Shorter's offense was firing on all cylinders, led by outside hitter Caroline Sivills, who posted a match-high 16 kills with an efficient .353 hitting percentage, amassing 19.5 points. Audrey Brooks was equally effective on the attack, tallying 7 kills at an impressive .417 clip. Setter Brielle Wood orchestrated the offense masterfully, dishing out 33 assists while adding a service ace to her stat line.
Defensively, the Hawks displayed exceptional consistency and discipline. Libero Claudia Loyola anchored the backcourt with 19 digs, while Victoria Sparks contributed 15 digs and added 6 kills, despite facing a challenging night offensively with a -.036 hitting percentage. At the net, Alexis Williams and Wood combined for 5 blocks, helping to neutralize Southern Wesleyan's attack and disrupt their rhythm.
The opening set showcased a competitive battle, featuring 14 ties and 4 lead changes. Southern Wesleyan pushed Shorter to the brink with aggressive serving and effective swings, but the Hawks maintained their composure, relying on their offensive efficiency and strategic ball placement to edge out the set 26-24.
The second and third sets saw Shorter tighten its grip on the match. The Hawks capitalized on their balanced offense and stifling net presence to close out the sweep, demonstrating their ability to execute under pressure.
This commanding victory reinforces Shorter's momentum in Conference Carolinas play as the team continues to solidify its position in the standings.
NEXT UP: The VolleyHawks will play Chowan at home on Saturday, October 12th at 12:00PM
