The Georgia State volleyball team used its most balance offensive attack of the season to earn a 3-2 win (25-18, 19-25, 18-25, 25-14, 15-12) over Hofstra on Sunday afternoon in the GSU Sports Arena. Five Panthers finished with at least eight kills as State got double-doubles from junior Ashley Jones and freshman Jamiee Freeman.
With the win, the Panthers regained second place in the CAA and improved to 14-4, 2-1 in CAA. Hofstra fell to 5-13 and 1-2 in the CAA.
It marked the first-time in eight tries that the Panthers defeated the Pride since joining the CAA in 2005.
"Any win in the CAA is a big win," commented head coach Mike Webster. "There is a lot of history and competitive spirit with Hofstra. We did a great job of coming back after disappointing second and third sets. I was proud of our team in game four and finishing the way we did in game five."
Freeman finished the match with 10 kills and a career-high 31 digs. It was the most digs in a match for any member of the Georgia State team this season.
"The double-double we got from Jamiee Freeman today was amazing," stated Webster.
Jones once again fell just shy of a triple-double with 16 kills, 15 digs and nine assists. The junior has already scored two triple-doubles this season and just missed on four others.
Junior Rachel Boryc fell just shy of a double-double with 12 kills and nine digs, to go along with a .423 hitting percentage.
"I am really proud of the way Rachel stepped up today," commented Webster. "She gave Hofstra a lot of trouble and did a great job setting, terminating the ball and blocking as well.
Reigning CAA Offensive Player of the Week Vineece Verdun added nine kills and four total blocks, while senior Jocelyn Waldern added eight kills and four total blocks.
Sophomore Chelsea Perry scored a career-high 38 assists, while tying a career-high with six digs.
The Panthers, who lead the NCAA in service aces per set, scored eight in the win, led by redshirt-junior Audrey Cantrell with two. Cantrell added 16 digs to move within 12 of Molly Sapp (2000-03) for eighth on the all-time list.
Hofstra was led by Anissa Whitney's 15 kills and .433 hitting percentage. The Pride also got double-digit kill performances from Monica Knight and Taylor Moore.
Chrissey Cruz led Hofstra with 41 assists, while Kylee Maneja added 23 digs.
The Panthers will return to the court on Friday night to begin a short two-match road trip. State will travel to Williamsburg, Va. to face William & Mary at 7 p.m. Georgia State will face VCU on Saturday night at 7 p.m. before return to Atlanta. GSU's next home match will be on Friday night, October 16th when the Panthers take on Towson at 5:30 p.m.
