What you need to know:
* On Sunday afternoon, Georgia State defeated Troy inside Trojan Arena in four sets. The Panthers took the match by a final score of 25-20, 22-25, 25-17 and 25-23.
* With the win, GSU improves to 4-4 in the Sun Belt and 8-11 overall. Georgia State holds on to the No. 3 spot in the East Division. Senior Kristina Stinson led the way offensively with a match-high 22 kills. Anna Rantala added another 11 kills as setter Sarah Renner commanded the offense with 42 assists. Celeste Friesen and Renner led the defense with 24 combined digs.
* The Panthers come back to Atlanta for a four-match home stand beginning with Texas State and UT Arlington next weekend. All matches are set for 6 p.m. inside the GSU Sports Arena.
TROY, Ala. – Georgia State defeated Troy in its second and final match of the weekend. Head coach Sally Polhamus and the Panthers improve to 4-4 in the SBC and 8-11 overall. Troy falls to 0-7 in the Sun Belt and 6-18 overall.
The Panthers jumped out to a 12-5 lead in the opening frame and were able to keep their distance from the Trojans behind Kristina Stinson's six kills. Troy responded nicely and went up 20-12 in the second set. The Panthers went on a 10-2 run, but the Trojans tied the match at one set apiece with a 25-22 victory.
From there, senior Eliza Zachary and the Panther offense got going to take the next two sets with scores of 25-17 and 25-23.
Stinson led the way with 22 kills on the day and Anna Rantala added another 11 kills to propel the Panthers to victory. Zachary added another nine kills of her own to help balance the offensive attack.
Sophomore setter Sarah Renner ran the offense effectively with 42 assists and Celeste Friesen spearheaded the defensive effort with 13 kills. Rantala's play carried the Panthers down the stretch against a never-say-die Trojan team. GSU managed to register 14 blocks on the day with Zachary, Rantala and Shae Chapman accounting for 17 block assists.
For Troy, Logan Page and Sara Landis led the Trojan offense with 19 combined kills. Bethany Cullity racked up 17 digs and Reina Terry contributed 18 assists on the afternoon.
After the match, head coach Sally Polhamus spoke highly of her team's toughness to continue battling until the end. She also stressed the importance of earning a conference win on the road before a four-match home stand.
The Panthers will begin the home stand with Texas State and UT Arlington next weekend inside the GSU Sports Arena. Both matches start at 6 p.m.
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