Goldey-Beacom got more than it could bargain from Georgian Court, but in the end clinched a spot in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament with a 3-1 victory (25-22, 29-27, 23-25, 25-20) at the Jones Center in Wilmington, DE.

The second set saw the Lions go on an 11-2 run that turned an 18-12 deficit into a 23-20 lead thanks to just five kills.  The Lightning then went on a 4-1 spurt courtesy of no kills for a 24-24.  It was level at 27 when sophomore Gabi Fullwood (Powder Springs, GA) pounded a kill and then teamed with Kelci Gingras (Orem, UT), the two-time reigning CACC Rookie of the Week, for a block to finally close the set.

Georgian Court looked out of it down 23-20 in the third set, but scored the last five points to extend the match.  Ava Churnesky had two aces and a kill before setter Iciar Zayas floated one over the net that somehow landed in for a miraculous kill on set point.

Goldey-Beacom in the fourth set opened a 15-8 lead and held on from there, thanks to Gingras' three kills.

Sophomore Juliana Malena (Miami, FL) had 48 assists and 11 digs for her 14th double-double of the season and fifth straight, Fullwood pounded 16 kills, Gingras had 10 and sophomore Gaby Fernandez (Arecibo, PR), the most recent CACC Defensive Player of the Week, added 33 digs.

Genesis Simanca recorded 14 kills with Zayas adding 27 assists and 15 digs for the Lions (8-17, 5-8 CACC).

Goldey-Beacom (14-11, 8-4) remains tied with Holy Family (8-4), which also secured a berth tonight, for second place in the CACC South Division.  The top four teams in each of the two divisions go to the CACC Tournament and the top two in each host a quarterfinal game.

This marks the first time Goldey-Beacom will play in the CACC Tournament in consecutive years since going four straight seasons from 2003-06.

Goldey-Beacom on Saturday hosts Caldwell, beginning at noon.