WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

> Georgia State dropped two matches at Troy in the first Sun Belt action of the 2020 season. 

> Meisheia Griffin recorded her second double-double this season during the night meeting. 

> The Panthers will battle the Trojans again tomorrow at 2:00 p.m. ET 

TROY, Ala..-- Georgia State dropped a pair of matches against conference foe, Troy, on the road Friday. The two matches marked the first Sun Belt contests for both programs this year. 

GAME ONE 

In the first meeting Troy swept Georgia State (25-19, 25-19, 25-14). In the first frame both squads had sluggish starts. Neither team found many kills, while both produced several unforced errors. With 12 returners on the roster, Troy gained more comfort as play progressed. This allowed the Trojans to pull ahead and ultimately take the first set.

In the second and third frame, Troy's offense came alive, recording above.300 hitting percentages in both sets. Conversely, the Panthers could not get the offense going, as Troy would hold seniors Leah Wilcox and Meisheia Griffin to single-digit kills for the first time this season.  The difference in offensive production would be the difference maker in the match, surging Troy to  the 3-0 victory. 

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GAME TWO 

Despite finding more success in the nightcap, ultimately Georgia State fell 3-1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-20, 25-23) in the second contest of the day. 

During the first set,  GSU came out looking recharged. Despite slowing the Troy attack, the Trojans would take the early lead behind scrappy and quick play.

GSU senior, Jordan Shoemaker, found success in the second set, distributing assists to a variety of hitters. The setter led the team to an impressive  .361 hitting percentage in the frame. Georgia State accumulated an eight point lead in the middle of the set, but Troy methodically chipped away at the edge. With the match tied at 24-24 a kill by Griffin would help secure the 26-24 victory to tie the match.

In the third set Troy would regain the match lead after recording a .439 kill percentage. With the game on the line in the fourth set, GSU showed their grit, which has already led to two five-set matches in 2020. The Panthers and Trojans exchanged points back and forth, but ultimately the Panthers could not slow down the Troy attack. The Trojans closed the match with a 25-23 victory in the fourth. 

Griffin and Wilcox led the offense in the night outing. The  two seniors both recorded double-digit kill performances for the third time this season. Griffin also put up 10 blocks to protect the net. In the back row, freshman Ally Thees matched a season high 13 digs in the effort. In addition, Clara Bednarek, a freshman from Ariz., made her GSU debut. 

The Panthers will return to Trojan Arena tomorrow afternoon for one final contest against Troy. First serve is slated for 2:00 p.m. ET. Fans can follow with the action via ESPN+ or live stats.