After winning the first set of four, Georgia State volleyball was defeated by the South Alabama Jaguars Saturday night at the Sports Arena by a final of three sets to one. The defeat brings the Panthers’ overall record to 3-12 and their Sun Belt record 1-5.
Set 1
Georgia State would score the first three points of the match and would widen their first set advantage to 10-5, prompting a timeout from Jaguars coach Amy Hendrichovsky.
Four consecutive points from the Jaguars brought them within one of the Panthers at 10-9 before a kill from Kitan Ajanaku halted the South Alabama run.
The Georgia State lead then extended to five at 14-9.
South Alabama would tie it up at 16 apiece and take one point leads at 18-17 and 19-18 before huge plays from Ajanaku, Stinson and Eliza Zachary who would clinch the first set for the Panthers.
Zachary’s ten kills led Georgia State while South Alabama would get four from Jessica Lewis.
Set 2
The Panthers’ fortunes would not be as good in the second half as they were in the first. Both teams traded early points to start the second frame before the Jaguars pulled in front 8-4. This led to a timeout from Panthers coach Sally Polhamus.
The Jaguars lead expanded to 11 at 19-8 and would force game point for the second set ahead 24-11. A late rally from the Panthers would come up short as South Alabama prevailed in set number two 25-15.
Lewis had five kills this set and Mechell Daniel provided four along with three digs. Zachary led Georgia State with four kills while Deidra Bohannon finished the second set with a pair of kills and two digs.
Set 3
The third period began with a 6-3 lead before South Alabama knotted the set at seven. The Jaguars would hold on to a slim lead for much of the match.
With a 19-17 advantage, Zachary had to be temporarily taken out of the match with an injury. It was not serious and Zachary would return to action a few plays later in the set, but the Jaguars would take the third set 25-19.
Set 4
The two teams traded leads for much of the match, but the Panthers had a lead late at 19-16. Three straight points from the Jaguars tied it up as Polhamus called another timeout in hopes of slowing the South Alabama momentum.
The Jaguars would go on to claim the final set 25-21 to win the match.
Daniel finished with 16 kills and eight digs. Lewis would have fourteen kills. For Georgia State, Zachary and Bohannon finished with double-digit kills. Bohannon would also notch a double-double as her 14 digs went along with 15 kills. Gabby Serafin provided ten digs.
The Panthers will next take to the court Wednesday night at the Sports Arena at 6 p.m. against Georgia Southern.
