Florence, Ala. (September 15, 2007) - Nova Southeastern University volleyball upset North Alabama three games to one by the scores of 22-30, 30-21, 30-24, and 30-19 on Saturday afternoon in the UNA Regional Crossover. The win, NSU's fifth consecutive and third in three matches at the UNA Regional Crossover, brings the Sharks overall record to 10-4 on the season while UNA falls to 6-8.

North Alabama came out strong in game one and took advantage of a few early Shark miscues to win 30-22. UNA out-hit NSU .220 to .154 in the opening game of the match. Lions' outside hitter Danielle Palasak led all players with eight kills in the game. NSU was led by opposite Aley Tallman (So., Wichita, Kan.) with three kills.

Helped by a late run, the Sharks rebounded to win game two 30-21. NSU hit a match high .394 in the game while taking advantage of four serving errors from the opposition. Outside hitter Paola Ruiz (Fr., Rio Piedras, P.R.) and Tallman guided the Sharks to victory with five kills apiece.

NSU overpowered North Alabama in game three to win 30-24. The Sharks landed eighteen kills, and hit .250 in the game while holding UNA to a .139 attack percentage. Middle blocker Melinda Gorman (Jr., Sarasota, Fla.)led NSU with five kills in the game. Tallman followed with four kills and five digs. Setter Valia Petrova (Jr., Sofia, Bulgaria) also had a solid game, tallying 13 assists and three digs.

The Sharks closed out the match in dominating fashion, winning game four 30-19. NSU finished strong defensively, limiting the Lion to a -.064 attack percentage with a strong block the entire game. Gorman and Tallman each rejected two attacks in the game for NSU. The Sharks hit .102 as a team, led by Tallman and middle blocker Emily Carle (Jr., Missouri City, Tex.) with four each. Libero Kathleen Yony (Fr., Miami, Fla.) had a game high five digs for Nova Southeastern.

For the match, NSU out-hit North Alabama .216 to .090. The Sharks had 13 more kills, seven more assists, 21 more digs, two more blocks and eight more points than the Lions. NSU was also assisted by 17 UNA service errors in the match.

Tallman paced the Sharks attack, posting a team high 16 kills and 11 digs in the match. Carle and Ruiz followed with 10 kills while Gorman landed nine and outside hitter Christina Chubb (Jr., Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) had eight. Petrova had a match high 42 assists along with ten digs and four blocks.

"It had been a struggle the past two years," commented Gorman after the victory. "We are all working hard together as a team toward the same goal this season. The difference between this year and the past few years is already showing, last year we wouldn't have beaten this team."

Palasak had a match high 21 kills and libero Jessica Hansen had a match high 23 digs in the loss for North Alabama.

The Sharks conclude play on Saturday, September 15th at 4:30 pm vs. Henderson State in the UNA Regional Crossover before hosting conference opponent Lynn University at 7pm on Tuesday, September 18th in the University Center.