After coming off a huge victory over in-state rival Georgia Southern at home, Georgia State volleyball fell in straight sets on the road to the Arkansas State Red Wolves. The loss brings the Panthers’ record to 4-13 on the season and 2-6 in Sun Belt play
Set 1
The Red Wolves assumed an early 5-0 lead aided by a pair of service aces from setter Mallory Warrington. By the time the Panthers scored five points of their own, Arkansas State had maintained their five-point advantage at 10-5. Georgia State head coach Sally Polhamus called timeout after her team’s deficit grew to 12-5 with an attack error from the Panthers.
Arkansas State’s advantage grew to 18-8 before a 4-0 run from Georgia State trimmed their deficit to six at 18-12. With Georgia State cutting their deficit to 22-17, Red Wolves coach David Rehr asked for time. The Panthers’ comeback would come up short as a kill from Arkansas State’s Drew Jones sealed the first set, 25-19 for the Red Wolves.
Set 2
The ensuing frame would begin with both teams trading the first four points. The score would be tied later in the set again at seven points apiece. Arkansas State would pull ahead by six at 15-9 with a kill from freshman middle blocker Jessica Uke, prompting a Georgia State timeout.
The Red Wolves would notch a kill and a service ace to extend their lead to 17-9 after the timeout. Eventually, their lead would double up on the Panthers scoring-wise as it became 20-10. An attack error from Brianna Jones would force game point for the Red Wolves at 24-15. A Sarah Kemp kill would win the second set for Arkansas State, 25-16.
At the intermission, Eliza Zachary led the Panthers in the kills category with six. Deidra Bohannon had three kills along with eight digs. Kristina Stinson, Kitan Ajanaku, and Brianna Jones each had two.
For the Red Wolves, Jones paced her squad with nine kills while Kemp had six kills and three digs. Uke also had five kills.
Set 3
The third set would begin with each team committing an error to give the other side a point.
Zachary committed an attack error followed by a service error from Warrington to even the score at one apiece.
Arkansas State would score three consecutive points before Georgia State answered with three of their own to tie it again at four points each.
The Panthers stayed close to the Red Wolves for much of this set, but Arkansas State still clung to a two point advantage as they led 14-12.
Bohannon’s sixth kill of the match would even the score again at 15.
Georgia State called timeout as the Red Wolves led 17-15, and did so again as they trailed 23-20. Jones’ 12th kill of the match forced match point. Bohannon’s eighth and final kill of the match would make the score 24-21 before she committed an attack error that sealed the 25-21 victory for Arkansas State.
Kemp and Jones were the two Red Wolves that finished the match with double-digit kills. Kemp also contributed four digs. Jones and middle blocker Kelsey Reis were the two Arkansas State players who finished with hit percentages north of .500.
Bohannon led the Panthers with eight kills as well as with 13 digs. Stinson finished with seven kills and a .429 hit percentage. Gabby Serafin also had ten digs.
The Panthers will conclude their road trip through Arkansas Oct. 12 when they take on UALR at 1 p.m.
