BOSSIER CITY, La. – The #1 Talladega College women's volleyball team picked up its 30^th win of the season with a 3-0 (27-25, 25-13, 25-19) over #4 Philander Smith College in the GCAC Semifinals this afternoon. The Tornadoes will advance to tomorrow's championship at noon and will face the winner of the Fisk/Dillard match tonight.

Talladega moves to 30-8 on the season while the Lady Panthers end the year at 13-16.  In all three meetings this season between both teams the Tornadoes posted a 9-0 set record.

The Tornadoes jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the opening set before pushing their lead to, 14-5. The Lady Panthers chipped away at the lead to tie the set at 24 and then grabbed its first lead of the set at, 25-24. Talladega closed out the set on a 3-0 run to win, 27-25.

Talladega wasted no time as it soared to a 14-4 lead in set two.  This time the Tornadoes made sure the Lady Panthers didn't come within striking distance as they went on to win, 25-13.

Both teams traded points in set three with Talladega holding a 6-5 edge. The Tornadoes used an 8-2 run to break the set open and go up, 14-7. Talladega pushed its lead to 20-10, but the Lady Panthers chipped away at the lead but were not able to overcome the early deficit as the Tornadoes went on to win, 25-19, and take the match, 3-0.

Nedu Evans led Talladega hitting .563 while tallying 10 kills in the process while teammate Zyaire Prettie Garrit finished with a team-high 15 kills and recorded nine digs in the process.

Giovana Costarelli tallied 20 digs to pace the Tornadoes. This was her seventh game this season where she has posted 20 or more assists in a match.  

Briyith Echeverri's 16 digs was a team-high for all players on both sides of the court.