WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

> Georgia Southern defeated Georgia State 3-1 Friday night at the Hanner Fieldhouse.

> Two Panthers, Cierra Sillmon and Ally Thees, recorded personal bests in the effort

> GSU will battle Georgia Southern tomorrow at 1:00 pm. for the last time during the regular-season this season. 

STATESBORO, Ga. -- Georgia State fell to in-state rival Georgia Southern (25-17, 21-25, 27-25, 25-23) Friday evening. The loss drops Georgia State to 4-10 overall and 3-9 in conference action. 

Senior Leah Wilcox led the offense with 22 kills, matching a career best while in a GSU uniform. The outing marked her sixth double-digit kill effort of the season. Erin Wyatt also added 13 kills, marking her second consecutive double-digit kill performance 

Ally Thees secured the back row with 26 digs, her first collegiate 20-plus dig performance. With both sides consistently tipping and finding short holes, net defense became essential for each team. Senior Cierra Sillmon successfully secured the net with a career best 11 blocks.  

After dropping three matches last weekend, Georgia Southern came out hungry for a win. The Eagles and Panthers exchanged scoring runs to begin action, but eventually Georgia State could not find an answer. Georgia Southern's outside hitters found momentum, as the Eagles took the first set behind a .378 hitting percentage. 

Wilcox and the Panthers jumped to a three point lead in the second and never looked back. Jordan Shoemaker, who dished out 37 assists on the evening, found her rhythm. Wilcox found sneaky spots from the left side while Wyatt was a consistent hitting threat from every position on the court. A block from Sillmon would close the 25-21 frame to tie the match. 

Both teams were eager to take the lead, each coming out with intensity in the third. After staying close, Georgia Southern would pull away with kills short in the center of the court. Wilcox would keep the Panthers alive, finding consecutive kills as Georgia State survived four set points to knot the frame at 24. The Eagles reclaimed control of their offense and pulled away with the 27-25 victory. Despite Georgia State's attempt to stay within striking distance in the fourth, Georgia Southern would continue their controlled style of play to clinch the victory. 

The two Sun Belt teams will battle again tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 31, at 1:00 p.m. to close this week's action. 

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