PHILADELPHIA, PA - Georgian Court University defeated Holy Family University today, 3-1, to claim its second consecutive Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Volleyball Championship at Bobby Morgan Arena on the campus of USP. With the win, the Lions have earned the CACC's automatic berth into the 2007 NCAA Division II Tournament.

Holy Family came out strong and took game one, 30-27. However, Georgian Court rebounded to take the next three by scores of 30-22, 31-29 and 30-21.

Holy Family jumped to an 18-5 lead in game one and seemed to have total control until the Lions stormed back to make it interesting. Georgian Court chipped away and eventually pulled to within one, 27-26, before Holy Family put it away with a kill by freshman outside hitter Lauren Gosnell to take the game, 30-27.

Georgian Court turned the tables and jumped to a 9-3 lead of its own in game two. Much like the Lions in game one, the Tigers made a comeback and closed to within one, 19-18. However, Georgian Court out-scored Holy Family 11-4 the rest of the way to even things up with a 30-22 win.

Game three was tight throughout, with numerous ties and lead-changes. With the game tied, 27-27, Tiger junior outside hitter Jennifer O'Connor's kill gave the Tigers a one-point lead. An error by Georgian Court gave Holy Family game point, but two kills by Ann Casado and one by sophomore Janelle Murdock gave the Lions a dramatic, 31-29 win and with it a 2-1 lead in the match.

In game four, Georgian Court took a 9-5 lead and kept its edge for the rest of the game. Holy Family did close to within two, 15-13, but the Lions scored seven of the next nine points to take a 22-15 lead. A kill by freshman Stephanie Rivera clinched the game, 30-21, and the match for the Lions.

Junior outside hitter Ann Casado led the Lions with 21 kills and 25 digs, while sophomore outside hitter Janelle Murdock added 14 kills and seven digs. Freshman Stephanie Rivera and junior Claudimary Rivera both notched 11 kills, and sophomore setter Lisamary Figueroa distributed 62 assists. Senior libero Rebecca Walczak of Georgian Court was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player. She posted 15 digs in the championship.

Freshman Lauren Gosnell led Holy Family with 19 kills and 10 digs, while junior outside hitter Jennifer O'Connor recorded 15 kills and 22 digs. Freshman libero Maria Scherrer had 37 digs and freshman setter Aimee Drabyn registered 51 assists.

The results for the tournament and the All-Tournament team are listed below.

Quarterfinals, Tuesday, Nov. 6

North Division

#1 Bloomfield 3, #4 Felician 0

#2 Post 3, #3 Nyack 0

South Division

#1 Georgian Court 3, #4 USP 0

#3 Holy Family 3, #2 Philadelphia 2

Semifinals, Friday, Nov. 9 at USP

Georgian Court 3, Post 0

Holy Family 3, Bloomfield 0

Championship, Saturday, Nov. 10 at USP

Georgian Court 3, Holy Family 1

All-Tournament Team

Rebecca Walczak, Georgian Court - MVP

Janelle Murdoch, Georgian Court

Stephanie Rivera, Georgian Court

Jennifer O'Connor, Holy Family

Maria Scherrer, Holy Family

Kerry Smith, Post

Ursula Pereira, Bloomfield

Christine Puschak, USP

Lindsey Butler, Philadelphia

Nicole Degenhardt, Felician

Taneisha Cantaze, Nyack