The Georgia State University volleyball team fell to host Coastal Carolina, 3-0 on Friday night in their first match of the Courtyard by Marriott Chanticleer Invitational. It marked the first time this season the Panthers (0-7) travelled outside the state of Georgia, yet having only played one home match.

The Panthers, who had started a trend of starting strong in matches this season, got down quickly to the Chanticleers (5-4) and trailed 6-0 early in the first set. However, on several errors by Coastal Carolina and a kill by Michelle Trimble, the Panthers cut the lead to 8-7. The Chanticleers used a 4-0 run to go up 12-7 before Head Coach Mike Webster called a time-out to calm the Panthers. State would quickly get back into the match and on a kill by freshman Torrie Brown, the Panthers cut Coastal's lead to 18-16. State would continue to trail, but a kill by freshman Muki Kangwa would once again cut the deficit to two at 23-21. However, the Chanticleers would score the last two points of the set and take the first, 25-21.

The second set would be much like the first, as Coastal would start the set on a 4-0 run and go up 6-2 early. On a kill by Brown, State cut the lead to 9-8. The Panthers would continue to exchange points with the Chanticleers and continue to trail, but on back-to-back points by Jocelyn Waldern and Ashley Jones, State would take their first lead of the match at 20-19. However, the Chanticleers would use a 6-1 run to end the set, taking the second set, 25-21.

State would coming out firing on all cyclinders in the third set and take an early 5-0 lead on three Chanticleer errors and kills by senior Michelle Trimble and Brown. The Panthers would continue to hold the lead, but Coastal tied the match at 10-10. The Chanticleers would use a 10-3 run to take a commanding 20-13 lead which would be too much for the Panthers to overcome, as they eventually fell 25-16.

Georgia State was led by Brown's 10 kills, while Jones added nine. Jessica Tjaden led the team with 21 assists.

For the Chanticleers, Chelsy Kimes had 12 kills, while Megan Bickford and Amanda Russell each added eight. Kelsie Mauck added 35 assists, while Megan Pollard had a team high 10 digs.

The Panthers will return to the court on Saturday morning when State takes on UT-Chattanooga at 10:00 a.m. Georgia State will return to the court at 4:00 p.m. to take on former Atlantic Sun Conference rival Troy.

Live stats of the Courtyard by Marriott Chanticleer Invitational can be found via www.georgiastatesports.com.