VALDOSTA, Ga.- The Shorter volleyball team fell on the final day of the Valdosta State 2025 Fall Tournament to Palm Beach Atlantic in a 3-0 final and to Georgia College and State 3-1.
Match vs. Palm Beach Atlantic
After a brief back and forth in the opening set, the Hawks fell victim to a run by Palm Beach Atlantic and struggled to crawl back as they would fall in set one 25-13.
Shorter got off to a better start in the second set, as a kill from
Victoria Sparks put the Hawks up 9-4 early. The Sailfish stormed back as the Hawks continued to fight. Both sides engaged in a fierce battle as the Hawks would come up just short 25-23.
The Hawks fought well in the third set, remaining in striking distance as they battled on. The Hawks would unfortunately fall in the last set in a 25-19 final.
Taylor Reese-Howell led Shorter with eight kills as
Victoria Sparks added in seven herself.
Helena Kelley and
Brooke Thao continue to impress as the duo combined for 27 of the Hawks 31 assists with Kelley recording 13 and Thao with 14. Defensively,
Claudia Loyola recorded 14 digs as
Victoria Sparks added in ten.
Match vs. Georgia College and State
Shorter battled hard with the Bobcats early with Georgia College gaining the upper hand early. The Hawks rallied late but would drop the first set 25-21.
The Hawks struggled to contain Georgia College in the second set, with the Bobcats taking it 25-8. Shorter responded well in the third set, engaging in more back and forth play. The Hawks would prevail and stay alive taking the third set 25-21.
In the fourth set, the Hawks continued to battle with the Bobcats as both teams remained even at 15 all. Shorter fought well, but would end up dropping the final set 25-21.
Ava Medina and
Claudia Loyola led Shorter with eight kills a piece as
Brooke Thao recorded a season high 20 assists with
Helena Kelley adding in 15 herself. Four Hawks recorded double digit digs, as
Acca Berube recorded 12,
Caitlyn Sutton and
Claudia Loyola with 11 a pair, and
Helena Kelley finishing with ten.
UP NEXT
Shorter will officially begin conference play as they travel to Central, South Carolina to face Southern Wesleyan University this Tuesday at 6:00 PM.
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