What you need to know:
*Georgia State defeated UT Arlington in a thrilling five-setter.
*Leah Wilcox and Sydney Stroud recorded double-digit kills in the winning effort.
*GSU will host the Sun Belt's Louisiana schools next weekend.
ARLINGTON, Texas- Georgia State defeated UT Arlington 3-2 on the road on Saturday evening. The victory elevated the Panthers to 2-4 in Sun Belt play.
Leah Wilcox led the Panthers offense with 15 kills. Sydney Stroud had another double-digit kill performance adding 10 kills on the match. The Georgia State setting core split responsibility. Jordan Shoemaker dished out 23 assists while Kampbell Hehr added 21 in the meeting.
On the defensive side Meisheia Griffin and Sydney Stroud recorded five blocks each, accounting for 10 of Georgia State's total 14 blocks. Lauren Bandera led the back row effort with 24 digs.
The Panthers would jump to an early lead behind a 6-1 scoring run. Georgia State was led by a five kill effort by freshman Julianna Truscott. As a team the Panthers notched 18 kills en route to the 25-13 victory.
Arlington rattled off four quick points early in the second, but a kill by Stroud would give the Panthers back the serve. Georgia State would go on an 8-1 run. A kill by Dzemila Hadzic would secure the 25-22 second set win.
The Mavericks would start the third with another long scoring run. Two blocks from Stroud would knot the match late at 22-22. The set would continue to go back and forth as both teams would hustle to keep each point alive. The Panthers would survive three match points before falling 31-29.
Arlington once again would begin the set with a scoring run, but GSU responded with eight unanswered points. The set would remain tight, but the Mavericks would eventually take another win 25-20.
Georgia State would bounce back for a win in the fifth and deciding set. GSU slowed the Mavericks offense, holding the Texas squad to a .074 hitting percentage. The Panthers held a two point lead throughout the final frame, and Arlington could never close the gap. A service ace by Kampbell Hehr secured the 15-12 win.
The Panthers will look for more conference wins next weekend as Georgia State returns to GSU Sports Arena to face the Sun Belt's Louisiana schools.
