SEARCY, Ark. –  The University of West Alabama volleyball team’s bid for a program-first Gulf South Conference Championship fell short, as UWA dropped a 3-0 decision to West Florida in the 2009 Gulf South Conference Volleyball Championship match on Saturday night at Harding University.

UWF claimed the first two sets 25-15 and 25-19 before clinching the title with a 25-20 third-set win.  The Argonauts earned the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and their second-straight GSC crown.  UWA falls to 30-8 and will find out on Sunday, Nov. 15 if it will be one of the eight teams selected to the NCAA South Regional.

Senior Jessica Crook led all Tigers with 12 kills along with seven digs.  Senior Jordan Kent nailed eight kills in the setback.  Junior Thais Hollerbach contributed seven kills.  Senior Ana Gabriela Pedrosa, who suffered a knee injury in the previous match with UWF, entered the match late and was credited with a kill and a block.  UWF took advantage of UWA’s .139 hitting percentage while the Argonauts countered with a .371 attacking percentage. 

Kent and Crook were named to the GSC All-Tournament team, selected by the coaches in the tournament field.

UWF placed four in double figures in kills, led by Jamie Nichols 14 kills on 23 total attempts and just one miscue.  Patricia Gandolfo pitched in 12 kills and three total blocks.