What you need to know:
* Georgia State fell to Belmont 3-0 in another competitive match this season. The Bruins took the match 25-22, 25-19, and 25-15.
* With the loss, the Panthers fell to .500 at 3-3 on the season. Crystal Lee, Kristina Stinson and Eliza Zachary highlighted the Georgia State performance Saturday. The three combined for 20 kills and 13 digs. Lee was named to the All-Tournament team following the match.
* Georgia State will rest up over Labor Day weekend and get back to work next week. The Panthers will prepare for host Georgia Tech, Georgia and Kennesaw State in the Georgia Challenge starting next Thursday.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Georgia State fell in three close sets, 3-0, to tournament host Belmont on Saturday afternoon. Crystal Lee and Kristina Stinson registered solid performances for GSU, but the Panthers fell victim to the Bruins' 14 service aces.
Georgia State got off to a slow start in the opening set, but battled back to tie it at 24 before a service error and Alexa Nichols kill gave the Bruins the win 26-24. Crystal Lee and Kristina Stinson led the attack again for the Panthers, combining for nine kills in the first frame. Sarah Renner added 13 assists and Anna Rantala contributed a handful of digs to keep the team within arm's reach.
The Panthers came out of the gate in the second with a much better start, taking a 7-5 lead on a Belmont attacking error. Emily Richards' third consecutive ace gave the Bruins an early 9-7 advantage. Belmont's aces in the match played a decisive role in the outcome. The aces came in abundance, especially in the second set, and helped Belmont build a 19-12 lead it did not surrender.
Georgia State cut the lead to 22-18 on an attacking error, but it was Jessica Vestal's kill that turned the tide and gave Belmont a 2-0 set lead at the break. Lee's eight digs and Stinson's seven kills highlighted the match for the Panthers through two sets.
The Bruins and Panthers went back and forth early on in the last set and reached its largest lead of the set at 10-7 on Emily Price's ace. Brie Lewis' kill put Belmont up 15-9 and forced Sally Polhamus to call time. The Bruins' 14th ace of the match gave the host team a 17-9 lead. From there, the Panthers were unable to mount a comeback and fell in three sets with 25-15.
Among the positives included Lee's nine digs and Stinson's nine kills, which stood out for Georgia State on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.
Georgia State will look to regroup and play well next week in the Georgia Challenge against stout competition on the campus of Georgia Tech.
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