ATLANTA -- No. 19 Georgia State defeated Southern Miss before falling to No. 18 South Carolina in the first day of the Diggin' Duals event in downtown Atlanta.
Georgia State started the morning with a strong performance against Southern Miss. The two squads last saw each other during opening weekend where the Panthers emerged victorious with a 5-0 result. In today's contest Meagan McCall and Bekah Brodbeck clinched the first point of the day behind strong serving on the fourth court. The Ferary sisters earned their 15th win of the season to extend the GSU lead. The top three flights maintained the momentum. Mattie Johnson and Olivia Stasevich clinched the dual on court three before Kate Novack and Kelly Dorn added to the point total with a win on court two. Southern Miss found a victory in three-sets on the top court to avoid the sweep.
During the afternoon tilt, GSU squared-off against No. 18 South Carolina, who narrowly edged out the Panthers two weekends ago. Georgia State entered the dual hungry to defend the home court, and took the first point of the dual with another win from Johnson and Stasevich. This time the pair played in the No. 4 position. The Gamecocks earned a victory over the Ferary sisters on the fifth court to tie the match. The visiting squad would gain the lead with a win on the top court. The Panthers were not going to go down easily in front of the home crowd, as Novack and Dorn outlasted their opposition in the second position to knot the dual once again.
All eyes turned to Becky Tresham and Elise Saga on the third court. After dropping the first set, the duo bested their opposition in the second frame to force a final set. South Carolina emerged victorious in the final race to 15 to seal the team victory, 3-2.
After the action the Panthers hold an 18-11overall record and a 7-7 note in CCSA play.
On Saturday, all three teams will return to the GSU Beach Complex. Georgia State's eight seniors and fifth-years will be honored at 12:00 p.m. before GSU takes on Southern Miss at 12:30 and South Carolina at 3:00 p.m.
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