SHREVEPORT, La. – The #1 Talladega College women's volleyball team opened up the first round of the GCAC Tournament with a 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-17) over #8 Tougaloo College this evening. With the win, the Tornadoes advanced to the semifinals tomorrow at 4 p.m. against either #4 Philander Smith or #5 Rust.

Talladega improved to 29-8 on the season while the Bulldogs ended the year at 5-25.

Leading 11-4 in the first set, Talladega pushed its lead to 21-14, but Tougaloo climbed their way back into it as they used a 6-2 run to trail, 23-20. The Tornadoes used a kill from Nedu Evans and a Bulldogs attack error to win the set, 25-20.

With both teams tied at five in the second set, Talladega took a 10-7 lead off a 5-2 run. The Tornadoes were able to build off their lead to go up 14-9, but the Bulldogs attempted to climb back in as they trailed 20-14. Talladega closed things out on a 5-2 run to take the set 25-16 and go up 2-0 in the match.

Both teams in set three went back and forth and found themselves tied at ten until Talladega was able to take a 13-11 lead. Tougaloo answered as they tied things at 13, but the Tornadoes replied with a 2-0 run to go back in front, 15-13.  Talladega used a 10-4 run to close its first match of the tournament and sweep the match, 3-0.

Evans led Talladega in kills with 14 while hitting .308 for the match. She picked up four digs in the process. Zyaire Prettie Garrit tallied 13 kills while recording nine digs and an ace.

Dominique Madarang paced the Tornadoes with 17 assists while Giovana Costarelli finished with 12 assists and a team-high three aces.

Briyith Echeverri paced Talladega with 17 digs with teammate Taquoia Rounds finished with 13 digs of her own.