WINCHESTER, Va. - Top seeded Averett University defeated fourth ranked Shenandoah, 3-1, Saturday afternoon in the semi-finals of the USA South Volleyball Tournament being hosted by SU.

Averett (30-9) rebounded from a rare loss in the second game by winning the final two games for the win, but the Hornets (12-21) made the Cougars earn every point they won, 30-25, 28-30, 30-27, 30-25.

Sophomore Courtney Peters (Henrico, NC) and senior Erin Moore (Elon, NC) led Averett with 18 and 17 kills, respectively, and the powerful Cougar offense was constantly set up by sophomore Melanie Gilbert (Sutherlin, Va.) who recorded 56 assists. 

The Hornets were led by senior Lori Serrano (Jacksonville, Fla./North Florida) and sophomore Jenny Gray (Sumerduck, Va./Liberty) who had 18 kills apiece. Also proficient from the back line, Serrano registered a team high 16 digs and Gray tacked on 12 of her own.

Senior Lesley Beard (Youngstown, Ohio/Austintown Finch) guided the Hornets' attack with 43 assists.

A complete box score can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/vb/2003/1108031.htm 

Despite a valiant Shenandoah effort, Averett advances to the championship game this afternoon at 5:00 PM while the Hornets will be forced to wait until next year for another shot at the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament that comes with the conference title