ATLANTA, Ga.- The Shorter volleyball team had a great showing in the Lady Panther Tri-Match hosted by Clark Atlanta. The Hawks defeated Middle Georgia State 3-1, then followed with a sweep of Clark Atlanta. 

MATCH ONE:

The Hawks and Knights battled in the first set, with Middle Georgia State controlling the pace early. After trailing for most of the set, Shorter engaged in a thrilling comeback that would unfortunately fall short as the Knights bested the Hawks in extra play to take the first set. Shorter responded well in the second set, jumping ahead 13-4 to set the tone. The Hawks controlled the remainder of the set to even things. 

After a close start in the third, the Hawks went on a run that would be the difference maker as they grabbed the set to take the lead. Shorter dominated in the fourth set, leaving no room for the Knights to make a run as they took them down 25-10 to take the victory. 

Shorter was dominant on all sides of the net. Victoria Sparks recorded her fifth triple-double of the season with 12 kills, 16 points, and 13 digs. Caroline Sivills, Acca Berube, Taylor-Reese Howell. and Brooke Thao each recorded double-doubles as Sivills finished with 12 kills and 12 points, Berube with 12 kills and 12.5 points, Reese-Howell with 10 kills and 11 points, and Thao with 22 assists and 13 digs. Helena Kelly tied her season and career-high of 27 assists to round out the dominance from Shorter. 

MATCH TWO: 

Shorter continued their dominance against Clark Atlanta as the first set began. The Panthers kept it close, nodding it up at 19 all. Shorter scored six unanswered to take he first set. The Hawks got off to a hot start in set two, jumping out in front 14-3. The Panthers would go on a run themselves, scoring eight unanswered to crawl back into the match. Despite the comeback from Clark Atlanta, Shorter continued to maintain control as they won the second set. In the third and final set, the Hawks asserted their dominance, grabbing a big lead early and never looking back as they would win their eighth straight match. 

Victoria Sparks led the Hawks with 10 kills and 11 points, while also recording seven digs. Brooke Thao led Shorter with 16 assists, as Helena Kelley added in 15 herself. Claudia Loyola led Shorter defensively with 16 digs, as Brooke Thao added nine to round out the defensive effort. 

The two victories from the Hawks improve their record to 10-5 overall. 

UP NEXT

Shorter will remain on the road as they face off against Georgia College this Thursday at 6:00 PM. 

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