What you need to know:
* This weekend, Georgia State split its first two home matches in the GSU Invitational. GSU rolled to defeat South Carolina State Friday afternoon and dropped the tournament finale in four sets against undefeated East Carolina.
* Seniors Eliza Zachary and Katelyn Rawls were named to the GSU Invitational All-Tournament Team.
* The Panthers will look to carry the momentum generated in the tournament into conference play starting Sept. 23 at UL Lafayette.
Match 2: ECU 3, GSU 1
ATLANTA – In the final match of the GSU Invitational, Georgia State dropped a hard-fough match to East Carolina in the Sports Arena. The Pirates were able to remain unbeaten (10-0), but the Panthers didn't make it easy for ECU. The Pirates ultimately took the match in four sets of 25-21, 22-25, 25-21 and 26-24.
Georgia State fell to 4-7 on the 2016 season after snapping a five-match losing streak the previous evening against SC State. Seniors Eliza Zachary and Katelyn Rawls were named to the GSU Invitational All-Tournament Team.
The Panthers used a balanced attack featuring seniors Kristina Stinson and Eliza Zachary. The two combined for 27 kills and Crystal Lee added 10 kills of her own to supplement the attack. Jocelyn Mahayag, Anna Rantala and Celeste Friesen led the way defensively with 15, 14 and 10 digs respectively. Sophomore setter Sarah Renner was pivotal in running the attack with 42 assists.
Sydney Darden and Lael Ceriani led the Pirates' attack with 25 total kills. Ashton Marez was crucial to the Pirate offense totaling 46 assists in the match.
GSU responded nicely after dropping the first frame. Zachary's nine kills proved crucial in the second set and tied the match at 1-1.
The Panthers had their opportunities in the final two frames to extend the match, but in the end ECU pulled away. GSU came back from 23-17 down in the final frame to tie the score at 24 thanks in large part to Rawls' stellar attacking play. However, an I'tiana Taylor kill and a Panther attacking error gave ECU the match in four.
After defeating SCSU and making things tough for ECU, Georgia State will look to capitalize on its momentum as the team enters Sun Belt play. The Panthers return to action on Sept. 23 as they travel to UL Lafayette.
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