NEW HAVEN, CT - Georgian Court University recorded the first-ever NCAA Division II Volleyball Regional Tournament victory in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) history Thursday night with a 3-0 triumph over Merrimack College. The No. 4 Lions will face the top seed and host, University of New Haven, Friday night at 7:30 pm in the semi-finals.

Georgian Court defeated the fifth-seeded Warriors by scores of 25-16, 25-23 and 25-21. GCU improves to 32-4 this season, while Merrimack concludes the campaign with a 20-10 mark.

The Lions took control of the first set by jumping to an 11-5 lead after a kill by junior Janelle Murdock. The Lions led by at least five the rest of the set, including a commanding 20-7 edge at one point.

Merrimack responded to make the next two sets a lot more interesting. However, Georgian Court resumed its dominance to start the second set and led 8-1 early on. The Warriors chipped away and pulled to within four, 15-11, before eventually taking the lead, 20-19, on a GCU attack error. The lead went back and forth for the rest of the set, including four ties, until Georgian Court took a 24-23 lead on a kill by CACC Player of the Year, Ann Casado. The Lions escaped with the win after an error by Merrimack gave GCU a 25-23 win.

Georgian Court again jumped to a lead in the third set, this time a 10-5 advantage. Merrimack once again fought back and got to within one at 15-14 on a GCU attack error. The Lions answered back with two straight points to take a 17-14 lead, and the CACC Champions would keep at least a two-point cushion for the rest of the set. A kill by senior Crystal Murdock put the match away, 25-21.

Casado led GCU with 12 kills at a .241 hitting percentage and 11 digs, while junior Lisamary Figueroa contributed 29 assists, 11 kills and eight digs. Janelle Murdock added 10 kills and 14 digs. Lisa Barr led Merrimack with 10 kills, while Elyse Lorenz had 17 assists and 11 digs.

Georgian Court recorded a .256 attack percentage and held the Warriors to a .087 percentage.

The other semi-final match on Friday will feature No. 2 Dowling against No. 6 Bridgeport at 5:00 pm.