ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Webster University volleyball team was back in action tonight when they played host to the Blackburn (Ill.) College Beavers for their first match of the SLIAC Volleyball Tournament. The third seeded Gorloks defeated the sixth seeded Beavers in four sets (25-11, 17-25, 25-23, 25-13) to improve to 15-11 on the year and advance to the SLIAC Semifinals. With the loss, the Beavers season ends with a 5-22 overall record.

The Gorloks finished with 48 kills on 148 attacks for a .264 attacking percentage. They added seven service aces, eight blocks, 39 assists, and 72 digs. The Beavers had 44 kills on 170 attacks for a .106 attacking percentage.

The Gorloks came out in the first set and started the game on a 13-3 run. Webster continued to play well as the set progressed and never let the Beavers back in the game as they cruised to a 1-0 lead in the match.

After dropping the second set, Webster came out in the third set and jumped out to a 6-3 lead. The Beavers battled back and tied the score at seven, and the set remained close for most of the game. With the score tied at 21, the Gorloks ended the game on a 4-2 run to take a 2-1 lead in the match.

In the fourth set, both sides exchanged points to start the game. With the score tied at 10, Webster went on an 8-0 run to take an 18-10 lead in the set. They were able to pick up the final points of the game to solidify their spot in the SLIAC Semifinals.

Abby Jacobs led the attack for Webster as she finished with a team high 12 kills in the match. Emma Leppien and Delaney Demman ran the offense for the Gorloks as Leppien finished with a team high 20 assists while Demman posted 13 assists. Cassie Gray led the way defensively as she recorded a match high 16 digs.

The Gorloks are back in action on Saturday, November 5^th when they travel to Greenville, Illinois, to take on the second seeded Fontbonne (Mo.) University Griffins in the SLIAC Semifinals. If they win that match, they will then take on the winner of the other semifinal matchup between Greenville (Ill.) University and Westminster (Mo.) College at 7 p.m. All games will take place at Greenville University.