The Georgia State volleyball team opened CAA play on Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 (25-23, 17-25, 25-17, 25-10) win over UNC Wilmington. Redshirt-sophomore Vineece Verdun led the Panthers with 16 kills and a .667 attack percentage.
The win improved the Panthers to 13-3 and 1-0 in CAA play on the season. UNC Wilmington fell to 9-7, 0-1 in CAA play. Georgia State has now won seven matches in a row, its longest winning streak since opening the 2003 season 8-0.
The match also served as the Panthers annual "Dig for the Cure." Georgia State donned pink uniforms for the second year in a row and fans were able to win pink prizes throughout the match. Over $1400 has already been raised for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affliate as funds will continue to come in over the next few days.
"It is always great to get the first win of conference play," commented head coach Mike Webster. "Whenever we play UNCW, I know it is going to be a tough match, as all CAA matches will be. I am excited though that we were able to get the win in four sets."
Verdun set a career high with 16 kills, while adding in four total blocks.
"Vineece did a great job and was a very physical presence at the net this afternoon," stated Webster. "I am really proud of the way the offense came together in sets three and four. We really collected ourselves after a disappointing second set."
Junior Ashley Jones scored another double-double with 14 kills and 10 assists, while adding six digs. Jones has already scored a pair of triple-doubles this season and just missed three others.
Senior Jocelyn Waldern continued her hot play of late, scoring eight kills and a .400 hitting percentage. She set a career-high in kills with 10 just over a week ago against Navy.
Sophomore Muki Kangwa, who entered the week 18th in the nation in service aces per set, scored five more to lead the Panthers. The Ft. Myers native also added six kills.
The Panthers lead the NCAA in service aces per set and added 12 more on Saturday.
Freshman Jamiee Freeman added six kills and seven digs, adding a career-high three blocks.
Sophomore Chelsea Perry added 30 assists for the Panthers who hit .336 for the match, while holding the Seahawks to just a .205 percentage
Redshirt-junior Audrey Cantrell added 16 digs and is now just 12 digs shy of Bettina Schmidt (1991-94) for ninth on the all-time digs list.
The Seahawks were led by Lindsey Strucko's 14 kills and no errors. Natalie Lahaie added 18 assists.
Georgia State has now won 11 straight matches in the series and has never lost to the Seahawks in CAA play.
The Panthers will continue their four-match home stand on Friday night as they take on Northeastern at 5:30 p.m. Admission to all Georgia State volleyball matches is free of charge.
Live stats and web-streaming of the match will be provided via GeorgiaStateSports.com.
