TROY, Ala. -- In a thrilling five-set match, the Georgia State volleyball team fell to the Troy Trojans on Tuesday night, 3-2 (25-23, 26-28, 17-25, 25-18, 12-15). With the loss, the Panthers fall to 7-8, while Troy improves to 8-10.
In a match that featured 27 ties and 13 lead changes, the fifth set proved to be just as close as the others with nine ties and three lead changes. A Vineece Verdun kill gave GSU the 8-7 lead at the side change. From there the two teams went back and forth to tie the score at 11 and 12. However, a block by Troy, an attack error by Ashley Jones and a service ace by the Trojans gave Troy the deciding fifth set.
Chelsea Perry had her fourth 50-plus assist match of the year, turning in a strong 50 assist, eight dig and five kill performance. Jamiee Freeman (26 digs and 10 kills) and A. Jones (13 digs and 13 kills) turned in double doubles, while Verdun (15 kills), Muki Kangwa (11 kills) and Raquel Jones (10 kills) also turned in double-digit kill totals. Audrey Cantrell had 21 digs, while Emily Averbeck had 17.
Megan Henderson led the way for Troy with 53 assists, 13 digs and seven kills.
The Panthers had to rally late in the first set to claim the 25-23 victory. Down by three for much of the set, GSU tied it at 18 on a block by Perry. However, the Trojans returned to earlier set form and took a 21-18 lead and led as late as 23-21. Troy would not score again though as GSU rallied to win the set on the strength of three-straight kills by R. Jones, Kangwa and A. Jones and an attack error by the Trojans.
A wild second set saw GSU lead by five at 16-11 after leading for much of the set leading up to that point. The Trojans rallied to tie the score at 18 and from there the two teams traded points until the score was tied at 24. An attack error by Troy gave GSU set point, but the Panthers couldn't capitalize and Troy tied it at 25. A kill by Kangwa gave GSU the 26-25 lead, but the Trojans scored the final three points of the set to tie the score at one. In all the second set saw 10 ties and five lead changes.
Troy handled the Panthers in set three leading by 12 at 23-11 before winning the set, 25-17.
GSU returned the favor in set four, winning 25-18, to push the match to a deciding fifth set.
Georgia State returns to CAA action on Friday when it hosts Delaware in a 7 p.m. match. The Panthers also host Towson on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The match against the Blue Hens on Friday will be a part of GSU's Homecoming festivities. The first 200 students who come to the match will receive a coupon for one free concession item. Interested students should check-in at the marketing table at the top of the escalator when arriving at the Sports Arena.
