Shorter University Athletics

ROME, Ga.- The Shorter Volleyball team battled Georgia College on Tuesday night, hanging on for a 3-2 (23-25, 25-23, 22-25, 27-25, 15-12) victory at the Winthrop-King Centre. The win snaps the Hawks' three-match losing streak and improves them to 8-10 overall.

 
Both teams traded leads throughout the opening set, with neither side able to gain a significant advantage. The Bobcats grabbed the lead late, and despite a late push from Shorter, Georgia College held on to take the first set. The second set was another tightly contested battle, with the Hawks putting together a lead midway through the frame. GCSU mounted a late push, but Shorter held firm to even the match at one set apiece.
 
 
The third set followed a similar script, with numerous lead changes throughout. After Shorter tied the set at 19-19, the Bobcats scored three unanswered points to take control. The Hawks made another late push, but could not overcome the deficit, falling in the third set. Shorter came out firing in the fourth set, scoring the first seven points behind strong serving from Acca Berube, who recorded back-to-back service aces. The Hawks continued to extend their advantage, leading by as many as 10 points. Georgia College refused to go quietly, putting together a 13-6 run to tie the set at 23-23 and force a dramatic finish. Shorter responded with two consecutive points to take the set and force a decisive fifth frame.
 
 
The final set was another back-and-forth battle, with the Hawks holding an 11-8 advantage late. Shorter held off another Bobcat push down the stretch, securing the 15-12 fifth-set victory and the hard-fought 3-2 win.


Caroline Sivills paced the Hawks for the seventh time this season, recording 18 kills and 20.5 points. Taylor-Reese Howell delivered a career performance with a career-high 17 kills and 19.0 points, while adding seven digs and two blocks. Emily Drier continued her strong freshman campaign with 12 kills and 13.0 points. Caitlyn Sutton anchored the Shorter defense with a career-high 31 digs, while Helena Kelley dished out a career-high 33 assists to help lead the Hawks to the victory.


"That was a gritty regional win physically, but a huge accomplishment for our team mentally", said Head Coach Taylor Watson. "We had leaders step up in big moments, and I am eager to carry this confidence into the weekend with our sights on a divisional matchup and a very physical team at Converse. 


UP NEXT
The Hawks will embark on a road stretch this week as they face Erskine at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. 


FOLLOW THE HAWKS
For complete coverage of Shorter Volleyball, follow the Hawks on social media at @ShorterHawks on X and @shorter_volleyball on Instagram, or visit the official home of Shorter Athletics at goshorterhawks.com.