ATLANTA- Muki Kangwa had a double-double with 16 kills and 11 digs and the Georgia State volleyball team won its opening match of the GSU Invitational Friday afternoon over Jacksonville State, 3-1 (25-22, 25-27, 25-19, 25-10) at the Sports Arena.

Junior Jamiee Freeman also posted a double-double with 17 digs and 11 kills in the win as the Panthers moved to 4-1 on the season.

Emily Averbeck had 18 digs defensively while Kaylee McGrew and Chelsea Perry totaled 27 and 10 assists, respectively.

The Panthers took an 11-8 lead in the opening set after Kangwa laced one over the Gamecock defense. Up 19-18, Averbeck drilled an ace to give the Panthers a two-point lead, then GSU stayed in front to take the set, 25-22.

In the second frame, Averbeck made a diving save into the Panther bench that Loren Byerly drove home for a spectacular point, giving GSU a 12-10 lead. Back-and-forth the teams would go, until GSU faced a 25-24 deficit. Then, the Gamecocks committed a service error on set point and Freeman drilled home two consecutive kills to give the Panthers a 27-25 second-set win.

Georgia State spotted JSU a 14-7 lead in the third set, but mounted a furious rally and came within two on Andrea Book and Andrea Ezell's stuff, which made it 17-15. The Panthers never came closer, however, and the Gamecocks won their first frame with a 25-19 fourth-set victory.

In the fourth set, GSU leapt out to an 8-1 advantage with strong serving from Freeman and never looked back. Kangwa drove home a smash that gave the Panthers a 21-8 lead, then GSU coasted to a 25-10 fourth-set victory and match win.

Earlier in the day, College of Charleston rallied from two sets down to defeat Harvard in the Invitational opener, 3-2.

The Cougars (1-3) and Gamecocks (1-4) will begin play on day two of the GSU Invitational Saturday morning at 11 a.m., then the Panthers take the court against Harvard (0-1) at 1 p.m.

The action continues with Harvard facing Jacksonville State at 5 p.m. Saturday and wraps up with GSU against College of Charleston at 7 p.m.

Parking is free Saturday in G-Deck, adjacent to the Sports Arena. Admission is also free.