COLUMBIA, S.C. -- No. 17 Georgia State split action against two top-20 opponents in the final day of the Gamecock Grand Slam. First, the Panthers defeated No. 16 Stetson 4-1, before falling to host No. 15 South Carolina 3-2.
After being narrowly defeated against two top-10 opponents yesterday, the Sandy Panthers arrived to the sand hungry for the win. GSU used their determination to take the first set on the bottom three courts. A sudden rainstorm would pause action during each flight's second set. After play resumed GSU did not slow down to quickly take the lead. Angel and Bella Ferary continued their success into the second set to find the first point of the dual shortly before Maddie Gordon and Meagan McCall would tack on a point with a straight set decision of their own on court four. With the Panthers within one point of the victory, Stetson would not go down easily, taking each of the remaining courts to three sets. Kelly Dorn and Kate Novack outlasted their opposition in a marathon third frame to clinch the team victory. Eden Hawes and Maddy Delmonte were outlasted on the top court to put the Hatters on the board before Mattie Johnson and Olivia Stasevich would close the outing with an additional GSU point.
After the exciting win, Georgia State only had 30 minutes until they had to take the sand again to face CCSA rival No. 15 South Carolina. Neither squad could get comfortable as the programs exchanged results on four courts. Dorn and Novack found their second win of the afternoon, taking a straight set victory on court two. The Gamecocks would quickly respond with a win on the top court to tie the dual. South Carolina would extend the lead for a moment with a win over Johnson and Stasevich, but the Ferary sisters would knot the match with a straight set result on court five. With the dual on the line all eyes turned to court four, where Maddie Gordon and Meagan McCall were in a third set of play. Despite remaining aggressive in shot selection and placement, the Panthers could not gain the momentum needed to overtake the host. Ultimately, South Carolina emerged victorious with the 3-2 decision.
Next up, Georgia State (15-9) returns to the Palmetto State to face three opponents in Charleston. The Panthers will meet Stetson for the second time this season, Tusculum, and host College of Charleston.
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