WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
> Georgia State fell to Coastal Carolina in a pair of matches Friday at the GSU Sports Arena.Â
> Georgia State newcomers, Clara Bednarek and Erin Wyatt, propelled the Georgia State offense throughout the day.Â
> The Panthers will host Coastal Carolina in the series finale tomorrow at the GSU Sports Arena at 1:00 p.m.
ATLANTA-- Georgia State fell in a pair of matches to conference opponent Coastal Carolina. The losses drop GSU to 2-7 on the season and 1-6 in conference action.Â
In the first match, Georgia State's effort was led by freshman Erin Wyatt and senior Dzemila Hadzic with seven kills each. This marked Wyatt's best outing for the freshman in a GSU uniform. Â
The Chanticleers, who had yet to play a match this year, came out eager to find kills. Meisheia Griffin's seven blocks slowed Coastal Carolina's offensive efforts, but ultimately the Chanticleers were able to direct the ball around the block to find holes in GSU territory. Coastal Carolina cruised to a 2-0 lead. With the match on the line, the Panthers would fight hard to stay alive in the third. The young defense adjusted to the Chanticleers' attack, letting very little drop. The two squads battled back and forth but Coastal Carolina would take the final frame 31-29 to secure the match (25-16, 25-12, 31-29).Â
In the nightcap Senior Jordan Shoemaker spread the offensive production with 34Â assists, her best performance in conference action this year. Clara Bednarek shined with 15 kills, marking her first double-digit outing for the Panthers.Â
Coastal Carolina did not miss a beat in the opening frame, cruising to a 25-12 victory behind a .455 hitting percentage. GSU came out fighting in the second, starting action with a massive block to rattle the Chanticleers' offense. Stronger passing throughout the frame allowed Shoemaker to connect with more hitters across the net. Georgia State knotted the match with a 25-22 win in the second.Â
With the match tied, Coastal regained control, recording a five point scoring run to begin action. Despite a rejuvenated defensive effort mid-frame, the Chanticleers closed the match with strong serves to the GSU sidelines. Ultimately, Coastal Carolina cruised to a match victory behind a 25-21 performance in the fourth and final frame.
The Panthers will host Coastal Carolina tomorrow in the final match of the week. First serve is set for 1:00 p.m.Â
Follow Georgia State on Instagram and Twitter (@GeorgiaStateVB) for more news and notes from Georgia State volleyball.
Â
