LAKEWOOD, NJ (Nov. 7, 2024) - It wasn't the big comeback win Georgian Court has become accustomed to this season, but it was a comeback win nonetheless. After dropping the opening set to Goldey-Beacom, the Lions stormed back to win the next three and take the match 3-1 (21-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-19). The win clinches not only a spot in the CACC Tournament, but also a guarantees they'll be hosting the quarterfinal round. And because Georgian Court is the designated host site for the semifinals and finals, the Lions will have home court advantage throughout the tournament.

How it Happened
• Georgian Court hit .141 for the match and kept the Lightning under .100 at .069.
• The Lions did well at the service line hitting 13 aces. They also made six errors though while the Lightning hit eight aces to six errors.
• GCU landed three more blocks, 10-7.
• Goldey-Beacom was the better defensive team with 53 digs to Georgian Court's 49.
Set 1
• Things started out well for the Lions who scored the first three points in the match with Giorgia Cappelletti netting a kill and an ace.
• A block from Amiyah Woods and Nylene Mateo raised the score to 6-1 in favor of the Lions.
• That's when things took a turn though and an 11-6 Goldey-Beacom run tied the set at 12.
• The score was still tied at 21-all when the Lightning scored the final four points getting two service aces and a kill for a 1-0 match lead.
Set 2
• Goldey-Beacom took the early lead in set two, getting out in front, 6-2.
• A Caitlyn Burch kill made it 9-4 and the Lions needed a timeout.
• Out of the break, Georgian Court scored four straight to get to within one, but the Lightning held on to the lead.
• That was until a Chelsea Ross and Emily Hauptvogel block knotted things at 14.
• Tied again at 17, Georgian Court took their first lead since 2-1 on a Cappelletti service ace.
• GCU finished the frame on a 7-1 run and evened things up, 25-19.
Set 3
• Georgian Court looked to be in control in set three, getting up by as much as seven, 13-6.
• The Lions were still up six, 20-14, when the Lightning came all the way back with a 10-4 run to tie the set at 24.
• Georgian Court was on set-point at 24-22 when Goldey-Beacom scored two straight to stay alive.
• Kills from Hauptvogel and Mateo though ended the set, 26-24 Lions.
Set 4
• Goldey-Beacom held a small 6-3 lead early, but kills from Cappelletti and Woods and Mateo service ace evened things at six-apiece.
• Tied at 11, Georgian Court took the lead for good with a Cappelletti service ace which started a 4-0 spurt.
• The Lightning got to within on three separate times, but got no closer and the Lions ran away with a 25-19 win.
• Georgian Court hit five service aces in the set.

Lion Stat Leaders
• Nylene Mateo led the offensive attack with 14 kills and four service aces. She also added a pair of blocks.
• Giorgia Cappelletti recorded a 12-kill, 12-dig double-double while also hitting six service aces.
• Iciar Zayas dished out 18 assists with six digs.
• Dayna Diaz chipped in 16 assists and eight digs.
• Amiyah Woods totaled seven blocks and scored six kills as well.
• Chelsea Ross added seven kills and three blocks.
• Carmen Rivera scooped up eight digs.

For the Lightning
• Piper Nanouski finished with a match-high 15 kills.
• Giuliana Jaku added 10 and eight digs.
• Caitlyn Burch chipped in six kills and six blocks.
• Ada Koksal passed out 32 assists and grabbed 11 digs.
• Gaby Fernandez added 11 digs as well.
• Morgan Mendick served five aces and picked up nine digs.

News and Notes
• As noted above, the win ensures home court advantage throughout the postseason.
• Nylene Mateo scored her 1300th career kill.
• Ava Venneri recorded her 200th career dig.
• The win is the Lions 12th straight over Goldey-Beacom.

Up Next
• Georgian Court is home once against Saturday, Nov. 9 taking on the top team in the CACC North Division, Post. First serve is set for 12 pm.