The Georgia State volleyball team fell to 0-3 on the season after a 3-0 loss to Georgia (2-1) in the final match of the Georgia Bulldog Invitational on Sunday night. The Panthers were led by senior Michelle Trimble and freshman Torrie Brown who each collected nine kills, while senior Liz Schaab added eight.
Once again, the Panthers started strong in set one. An attack error by the Bulldogs allowed State to start the match with a 4-0 lead, their largest lead of the first set. The Panthers continued to control the pace and led 9-8 on a kill by Alysa Long.
Georgia used an 11-4 run to take a 21-14 lead, but State would not go quietly. Capped by a kill by senior Michelle Trimble, the Panthers went on a 10-3 run of their own to tie the score at 24. The two teams exchanged points, with State taking the lead at 26-25. The Bulldogs responded with a run of their own (4-1), to take the first set 29-27.
The second set started much the same for the Panthers who came out swinging to take an early 6-2 lead. State continued to keep the host Bulldogs on their heels and with a kill by Trimble, the Panthers took a 17-14 lead late in the set. However, on the serve of Georgia's Kathleen Gates and Carla Tietz, the Bulldogs finished the set on a 10-1 run, taking the second set 25-18.
The hot start continued into the third set as State led early 4-1. Georgia State led controlled most of the set, taking a 17-14 lead on an ace by Schaab. The Panthers would tie the match at 18 on a kill by Trimble, but the Bulldogs would finish the match and set on a 7-3 run to take the final set, 25-21.
The Panthers got 27 assists from junior setter Jessica Tjaden, while Audrey Cantrell led the team with 13 digs.
Georgia got a team-high 17 kills from Maria Taylor, while Erika Clark added 10. Kathleen Gates headed up the Bulldog offense with 37 assists.
Georgia State Libero Audrey Cantrell was named to the all-tournament team after a solid performance in all three matches of the event.
State will return to the court on Friday when the Panthers face Xavier in the first match of the Regency Suites Georgia Tech Classic at 4:00 p.m.
