The Georgia State Volleyball Team (0-3) leaves North Carolina with a sour taste in their mouths, losing their first three games of the season at the Catamount Volleyball Classic Tournament.
On Friday night, the Panthers gave Western Carolina (1-1) all they had in a “hard fought match,” as head coach Sally Polhamus said to Georgia State Communications. In the decisive fifth set, Georgia State rallied from a 14-10 deficit to tie the set at 15, before dropping the set and match to the Catamounts of Western Carolina 17-15.
Saturday morning, Junior Kristina Stinson celebrated her 20th birthday in dominating fashion on the court against Fresno State. Stinson racked up 17 kills, keeping her team in the match while Senior and preseason All-Sun Belt player Deidra Bohannon struggled to find her own groove. Georgia State would go on to drop the fourth and fifth sets in their second consecutive match that went the distance (playing all five possible sets).
In the afternoon finale against the team of the tournament, Murray State (3-0), the match wasn’t nearly competitive as the others. The Murray State Racers didn’t lose one set the entire tournament, sweeping the Panthers in three sets. On a positive note, Bohannon did perform better in this match and will hopefully carry the momentum into upcoming meetings for Georgia State.
Senior Middle Blocker Eliza Zachary was named to the All-Tournament team as she finished the weekend with 40 kills and 13 blocks. Zachary also tied her career high for kills Friday night with 22.
Next weekend will bring another tournament in North Carolina, as the Panthers will face Loyola (1-1), South Carolina State (0-0), and High Point (1-2). On Sept. 8, Georgia State will host Kennesaw State (2-0) for their home opener in the GSU Sports Arena.
