In one of their best all-around efforts of the season, the Georgia State volleyball team fought valiantly but fell to Virginia Commonwealth 3-1 (30-20, 30-28, 28-30, 30-27) in front of 1,367 fans in Richmond, Va.

The Panthers struggled in game one but responded with a stronger effort in game two, only to fall 30-28.  The score was tied at 27-all before VCU (11-9, 5-5 CAA) tallied the next two points for a game point opportunity.  A block by Ana Paula Ferreira and Liz Schaab extended the game another point, but a kill for the Rams on the next play ended the game.

Game three was close throughout with 17 ties and 10 lead changes.  Trailing 28-27, a kill by junior Amy Lusk tied the score for the final time in the frame.  A VCU hitting error marked the final lead change, and a kill by freshman Noelle Boyd gave State the 30-28 win and extended the match.

The Panthers were forced to play catch-up for most of the fourth game, as VCU took the lead at 9-8 and worked to keep the advantage for the rest of the way.  Once the Rams got the lead up to the needed two-point margin, Georgia State could never get any closer.  State cut the score to two at 28-26 on the 15th kill of the match for sophomore Leah Tenney.  After a VCU kill gave the Rams the chance to close the match, Ferreira punched home a kill to fight off one match point.  But it wasn't to be for State, as a kill closed the match and the Panthers out.

Ferreira finished the match with a double-double as the redshirt junior had 16 kills and 15 digs.  Lusk also completed the double-double with 12 kills and 11 digs.  Sophomore Michelle Trimble notched a career-high 13 digs, whilte Tenney and Schaab had 15 and 10 kills respectively.  Senior Christen Garcia had a match-high 25 digs, while Boyd had 51 assists.

The Panthers (6-14, 3-8) will return to action tomorrow when they face William & Mary.  Match time is set for 7:00 p.m.