Athens, GA ? The Georgia State volleyball team opened the 2008 season with a 3-1 loss to Furman in the first match of the Georgia Bulldog Invitational.

After losing set one 25-17, the Panthers came back to win set two 25-21. Furman won set three 25-16, before winning the fourth set, 25-21, and the match. The Panthers were led by sophomore Ashley Jones and freshman Torrie Brown, who each accumulated 12 kills. Playing in her first match as a Panther, junior college transfer Jessica Tjaden had 38 assists.  

The Panthers (0-1) started strong in set one, taking a quick 6-3 lead. State continued to lead at 9- 8, before the Paladins (1-0) went on an 11-2 run to take command at 19-11 lead. Schaab and Jones led State with three kills a piece, while Tjaden added nine assists in the opening set.  

State tied the match after winning the second set as highly-touted freshman Torrie Brown recorded four kills.  The Panthers took an early 5-3 lead, before falling behind 11-9. State then went on a 13-5 run to take a commanding 22-16 lead before closing out the set. Georgia State also got four kills from Schaab and Jones, while Tjaden added 13 assists. 

After exchanging points early in set three, including five ties culminating at 8-8, Furman went on an 11-4 run to take a 19-12 lead. State attempted a comeback, but could never get the set any closer than the seven-point margin, losing the third set by nine. 

State fell behind early in set four, trailing 8-1. The Panthers rallied to a four-point deficit at 12-8, before teams exchanged side-outs. Georgia State used a 12-8 run to tie the match at 20-20. The teams exchanged side-outs once again, before Furman won the final four points to take the match.   

Furman was led by Alison West's 11 kills and Kelsey Salava's 33 assists.  

Live stats of the Georgia Bulldog Invitational can be found via www.georgiastatesports.com. 

Georgia State will return to the court on Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. and take on cross-town rival Georgia Tech. The Panthers will follow that up with the night cap at 7:00 p.m. against host Georgia.