Fullerton, Calif. - The Georgia State volleyball team fell to Cal State Fullerton, 3-0 (25-19, 25-15, 30-28), in its second match of the Titan Classic on Saturday afternoon, before earning a 3-0 win in the night-cap over Montana.
"We have played better and better in each match this weekend," said head coach Tami Audia. "We competed well against Fullerton, especially in the third set. We looked the best we have all season against Montana. We have to carry the momentum into our match with Mercer and then into next week's tournament in Chicago."
Junior Muki Kangwa picked up All-Tournament honors as the Panthers improved to 4-2. They return to the Sports Arena Wednesday when they host in-state rival Mercer at 5 p.m.
MATCH 1: Cal State Fullerton 3, Georgia State 0 (25-19, 25-15, 30-28)
After taking the first two sets, 25-19 and 25-15, the Titans had to battle the Panthers into extra points in set three before closing out the match, 30-28. The third set saw 14 ties and seven lead changes, including a GSU lead at 24-23. However, a Kayla Neto kill tied the score up. The Panthers also led at 26-25, but a Muki Kangwa service error gave the Titans the serve with the score tied at 26. The teams battled back and forth before a Jamiee Freeman service error and a Gabrielle Dewberry kill ended the match, giving the Titans the 3-0 win.
Erin Saddler led the way for Cal State Fullerton with a double-double, 16 kills and 13 digs. Torrie Brown had 19 kills, while Andrea Ragan had 49 assists.
Vineece Verdun led the way for the Panthers, tallying 12 kills, three digs and three block assists. Senior Audrey Cantrell had 20 digs.
MATCH 2: Georgia State 3, Montana 0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-16)
Behind 36 assists and 12 digs from junior Chelsea Perry, the Panthers handled the Grizzlies, 3-0. GSU controlled much of the match, a match that saw only three lead changes. After claiming the first two sets, 25-19 and 25-20, the Panthers marched through the third set, 25-16.
GSU limited the Grizzlies to a .115 team attack percentage.
Senior Ashley Jones and redshirt junior Vineece Verdun had 13 and 12 kills respectively, while senior Audrey Cantrell and freshman Emily Averbeck joined Perry with double-digit digs with 15 and 11.
