Redshirt-junior Audrey Cantrell set a trio of digs records on Sunday afternoon as the Georgia State volleyball team fell 3-1 (40-38, 18-25, 17-25, 20-25) to William & Mary at the GSU Sports Arena. Cantrell established a new single-season digs mark with 531 and set the four-set match record with 36, while establishing a career-high.
A wild first-set, that included 78 total points, 26 ties and 12 lead changes, unfortunately could not give State enough momentum heading into the second set. Georgia State scored 29 kills in the set, led by redshirt-sophomore Vineece Verdun who had eight. Sophomore Chelsea Perry earned 22 assists in the set, while Cantrell scored 14 digs.
"The first set shows that we are capable of playing with anyone," commented head coach Mike Webster. "We are a very athletic group and when we put our minds to it, can do anything against really good competition. Unfortunately, we could not carry that play over into the second, third and fourth sets."
The loss concluded the 2009 season for Georgia State. The Panthers finished the year 16-14 overall, 3-11 in the CAA. With the win, William & Mary improved to 18-10 overall, 10-4 in the CAA. The Tribe will advance to next weekend's CAA Championship to be hosted by either Delaware or VCU.
The Rockwall, Texas native eclipsed Kumi Ishiyama's 2002 record of 513 digs in a season. Cantrell also moved into fourth place on the all-time digs list on Sunday with 1162 in her career, surpassing Ana Paula Ferriera (2003-07). She will need 466 digs during her senior season to catch Christen Garcia's (2003-06) all-time mark of 1628.
Cantrell finished the match with a Panther season-high 36 digs. It broke Samantha Walker's record of 32 set at Stetson on October 1, 1998. The redshirt-junior also broke her previous bests of 30 digs in a match set twice during the 2008 season.
"I am really excited for Audrey," stated Webster. "She has been among the top of the CAA the last two years and we could not have accomplished what we did this season without her success."
Senior Jocelyn Waldern, playing in her final match in a Panther uniform, scored a double-double in her final performance, tying a career-high with 12 kills, adding 10 digs and three service aces.
Waldern finishes her career with 479 kills, 451 digs, 106 service aces and 52 assists.
Junior Ashley Jones, who finishes the season with 16 double-doubles and six triple-doubles, scored 15 kills and six digs in the loss.
Verdun finished the match with 13 kills and three total blocks, while Perry scored a career-high 45 assists.
Freshman Jamiee Freeman finished her first year in impressive fashion, scoring eight kills and 18 digs.
Sophomore Muki Kangwa added six kills and seven digs.
The Tribe was led by Erin Skipper's 22 kills, while Lindsay Kresch added 18 kills and 19 digs.
Cassie Crumal scored a match-high 60 assists, while Lauren Powell also added a double-double of 16 kills and 28 digs.
Sunday's match concludes the 2009 regular season. Continue to follow the Panthers at GeorgiaStateSports.com as the off-season gets underway. Among the things to watch for will be the CAA awards, which will be announced later in the week.
