Tiger Volleyball

UWA Volleyball Sweeps Harding To Advance To The GSC Championship; Will Face West Florida At 7:30 p.m.

SEARCY, Ark. – The University of West Alabama volleyball team moved closer to a Gulf South Conference Championship, as GSC East Co-Champions swept GSC West title winner Harding in the semifinals of the 2009 GSC Volleyball Tournament, hosted by HU on Saturday afternoon.

UWA downed the host-Bisons 25-16 and 25-18 to take a 2-0 advantage in the match before holding off a HU charge in the third set, 26-24. HU’s season comes to a close with a 28-7 mark.

The Tigers (30-7) will face GSC East nemesis West Florida for the GSC Championship and the league’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. The match will start at 7:30 p.m. The match can be viewed via a live video and audio stream by clicking on the free video link at athletics.uwa.edu. UWF advanced to the finals after topping North Alabama, 3-0, earlier on Saturday.

It marks the first time since 1992 that the Red and White have advanced to the GSC Championship. UWA dropped Championship matches in back-to-back seasons to former GSC member Jacksonville State in 1991 and 1992.

UWA used a balanced offensive attack in the match and were led by senior Jordan Kent’s 11 kills. Senior Brittney Cousin nailed ten kills along with taking command at the net with six of UWA’s eight total blocks. Junior Thais Hollerbach was credited with six kills and 13 digs. Seniors Jessica Crook and Jazlyn Wright tallied five kills each. Senior Chanelle Esteban turned in a match-best 14 digs. Alexis McHale dished out 32 assists along with four kills.

HU’s Manuela Nesheva paced the Black and Gold with 11 kills.