ATLANTA - No. 19 Georgia State split action in the final day of the 2021 Diggin' Duals event. The Panthers first defeated Southern Miss before falling to No. 18 South Carolina.
Prior to the action this year's eight Seniors and fifth-years, Maddie Gordon, Kate Novack, Olivia Stasevich, Bekah Brodbeck. Eden Hawes, Mattie Johnson, Meagan McCall, and Kaylee McClure, were honored.
After the ceremony the Panthers squared off against Southern Miss, as rain fell in downtown Atlanta. Just like yesterday's contest against the CCSA foe, Bekah Brodbeck and Meagan McCall got things rolling with a straight set victory on court four. Kaylee McClure and Peyton Crenwelge earned their second win of the season to propel the Panthers to the 2-0 lead heading into the final three flights. Kate Novack and Kelly Dorn cruised to a 21-6, 21-9 victory to clinch the GSU win before Olivia Stasevich and Mattie Johnson earned an additional point for the blue and white. Southern Miss collected a win over Eden Hawes and Maddy Delmonte to avoid the sweep.
Immediately after, as rain began to slow, Georgia State faced CCSA rival No. 18 South Carolina. As each of this season's meetings between the squads has come down to the third set on the final court, both teams came out competitive and hungry. All three of the bottom courts, including exhibition play, went to three sets, which set the tone for the entire dual. The squads split results as Johnson and Stasevich won on court four before the Ferary sisters were outlasted in the fifth position. GSU regained the lead with a win from Dorn and Novack on court two before the Gamecocks tied the match again with a decision over Elise Saga and Meagan McCall on the third court. This marked their first outing of the weekend.
All eyes turned to court one where Eden Hawes and Maddy Delmonte dropped the first set. With the team victory on the line the veteran pair showed their poise and experience, outlasting the rivals in a 34-32 marathon second frame. Despite the impressive efforts, South Carolina earned the third set victory to clinch the 3-2 win for the visitors.
Two pairs registered a perfect 4-0 note over the two-day event, Johnson and Stasevich and Dorn and Novack.
Georgia State (19-12) will travel to Florida for the final contests of the regular season. Action is slated for Saturday with outings against UNF and Florida Gulf Coast.
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