Statesboro, Ga.- The Georgia State volleyball team (5-8) used a balanced offensive attack to snap a seven-match skid with a 3-0 shutout (25-22, 25-16, 25-15) of South Carolina State (4-7) Thursday evening at Hanner Fieldhouse on the first day of the Bash in the Boro at Georgia Southern University.
Vineece Verdun had 12 kills to lead the Panthers offensively, while Muki Kangwa and Jamiee Freeman had six apiece and Andrea Ezell posted five.
"We had an even distribution of the people that were getting kills," head coach Tami Audia said. "That makes it difficult for the other team to make a decision on who they're going to defend."
Freeman also drilled three service aces to run her team-leading total to 22. Ezell had three block assists and one solo block to lead GSU defensively in the win.
The Panthers jumped out to an early lead in the first game and went ahead 16-13 after Ezell's third kill. Verdun and Ezell led the Panther attack from there to a 25-22 opening-set win as the senior and freshman opened with four kills apiece. Kangwa and Freeman added two each.
In the second set, GSU forced a string of Lady Bulldog errors in taking a 12-4 lead into the first timeout. Kangwa later put home a spike to give GSU a 20-11 advantage and Kaylee McGrew sealed the two-set lead with a terrific ball between the Lady Bulldogs' defense for a 25-16 win.
Georgia State spotted S.C. State the first four points in the third set but won 12 of the next 15 in taking a 12-7 lead. Later, Loren Byerly slammed down a kill to give GSU a 19-12 advantage and keep the Panthers firmly in control. GSU would coast to a 25-15 set win and earn their first victory since Sept. 2, out-hitting the Lady Bulldogs .236-.057.
McGrew had a double-double from the setter position with a match-high 29 assists and 10 digs. Emily Averbeck had a team-high 13 digs.
"The team is really understanding what we're trying to do and how we're trying to do it," Audia added. "Now the focus isn't just on playing hard- it's on playing hard and executing. We showed that tonight."
The Panthers continue round-robin play with a 12-noon match Friday against Presbyterian College (2-8) in Hanner Fieldhouse.
