WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

> Georgia State defeated Georgia Southern 3-1 on the road Saturday afternoon. 

> Four Panthers recorded double-digit kills in the victory.

> The Panthers will return to the GSU Sports Arena South Alabama in the regular season finale on Thursday and Friday.

STATESBORO, Ga..-- Georgia State defeated Georgia Southern 3-1 (11-5, 25-19, 25-22, 25-23) at the Hanner Fieldhouse Saturday afternoon. The two in-state rivals have played four times during the unique season, each squad earning two victories. 

Jordan Shoemaker accumulated 43 assists, finding success setting across the net. The offensive production was spearheaded by Leah Wilcox (13), who leads the team in kills this season. Cierra Sillmon and Dzemila Hadzic both recorded 12 kills, the highest for each of them in conference play this season. Clara Bednarek continued to impress in her rookie campaign with 11 kills of her own. 

On defense Meisheia Griffin garnered her 376th career block, matching the sixth best in program history. 

Georgia Southern came out with intensity after picking up a win over the Panthers last  night. Georgia State could not slow down the Eagles' outside attack, which continually picked on open holes in the middle of the court. Georgia Southern cruised to a 25-11 victory to take the one-point advantage. 

The Panthers quickly composed themselves to jump to a seven point lead early in the second set spearheaded by Sillmon and Bednarek. The Eagles closed the gap, but Bednarek's consistent cross-court shot kept Georgia Southern on their heels and unable to catch the Panthers. Eventually, Georgia State tied the match with a 25-19 second frame performance.

As the rivals fought for the lead, the beginning of the third mirrored the second. As the Panthers jumped to another big lead, Georgia Southern's impressive service game kept the Eagles within striking distance. The back row, led by libero Ava Vlkovic, continued to deliver Shoemaker high passes which allowed the senior setter to connect with a variety of hitters. Georgia Southern could not find a rhythm to slow Georgia State's aggression. The Panthers pulled away with the 25-22 set victory and the match lead. 

With the game on the line the Eagles did not allow the Panthers to create such a large lead to start the frame, but Georgia Southern could never sustain the needed momentum to take a sizable lead. Georgia State stuck to their game plan and clinched the match with a 25-23 performance in the fourth.