WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
> Georgia State outlasted South Alabama 3-2 Friday afternoon to sweep the three-game series at home.
> Freshman Erin Wyatt recorded a double-double in the contest with 19 kills and 17 digs.
> The contest marked the final game of the regular season for both squads, as the Panthers finished the regular season on a four game winning streak.
> The Panthers will return to action Nov. 18 at the Sun Belt Conference tournament in Foley, Ala.
ATLANTA- Georgia State outlasted South Alabama in a five-set thriller (25-20, 25-23, 26-28, 23-25, 15-12) to close regular season action at the GSU Sports Arena. The win extends the Panthers' winning streak to four as the young squad prepares for the conference tournament.
Throughout the homestretch of the season the Panthers have relied on offensive production from various hitters. During the contest Georgia State continued to mix up their offense and keep the Jaguars' defense guessing all afternoon. Jordan Shoemaker dished out a career high 57 assists, as the senior closes in on the 1000 assists mark. Three Panthers recorded double-digit kills: Clara Bednarek (11), Leah Wilcox (16), and Erin Wyatt (19). Wyatt's 19 kills marks a personal best, surpassing the record she set for herself in last night's contest.
On defense the Panthers continued to find a way to get under the aggressive shots from South Alabama's outside hitters. Three Panthers accumulated double-digit digs: Ryan Spicer-Gordon (14), Erin Wyatt (17), and Ava Vlkovic (17).
After sweeping the Jaguars in two matches yesterday, the Panthers started action confident and ready to find another win. South Alabama came out in cleaner form and made less unforced errors, forcing this contest to be close from the beginning. After exchanging scoring runs, the Panthers took the first point and the early lead behind two consecutive kills.
The Panthers would fall behind midway in the second. Down by three points late in the frame, Vlkovic served Georgia State to victory with five serves deep in Jaguars' territory. The aggressive serving attack slowed South Alabama's offense and allowed the Panthers to come back and eventually to take the frame.
As Georgia State looked for the third consecutive sweep, the third frame would mirror the second. Down by three once again, Vlkovic went back to the baseline for the Panthers. This time South Alabama would get under her attack and find kills in the deep corners of GSU territory to stay alive and extend the match.
South Alabama maintained their momentum into the fourth. The Jaguars defense found answers to Wyatt and Wilcox's attack eventually taking the set and forcing a tiebreaker.
The Panthers jumped to a 3-0 lead in the fifth frame. South Alabama quickly recovered quickly going on their own five-point scoring run fueled by hitting from the back row and the left side. A kill from Meisheia Griffin regained the Georgia State serve. The Panthers would go on to control the remainder of the frame. Georgia State would eventually clinch the 15-12 fifth-set victory with an ace from Vlkovic, who has led the team in service aces throughout the season.
Next the Panthers will travel to Foley, Ala. for the Sun Belt Tournament. Pool play begins on Nov. 18. Stay tuned for more details.
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