KENNESAW, Ga. — The Georgia State volleyball team (1-4, 0-0 SBC) dropped a five-set battle to Alabama A&M (5-1, 0-0) on Friday at VyStar Arena.
Sophia Johnson turned in a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs, also adding a team-high three service aces. Akira Burt paced the attack with a team-high 13 kills, while Sigrun Jonsdottir anchored the back row with a team-high 15 digs. Mina Olgar was steady at the net with five blocks, and Annelore Engels dished out a match-high 28 assists.
How It Happened
SET 1 | Georgia State and Alabama A&M went back and forth early, with the set tied 16 times and the lead changing hands four times. Neither team led by more than four points at any point. The Panthers finished at .293, while the Bulldogs settled at .133. Georgia State closed the set on a run to pull away late, winning 25-21.
SET 2 | The teams stayed even through 10 ties before Alabama A&M grabbed the lead for good at 14-13. The Bulldogs hit .257 in the set, while Georgia State managed a solid .290 clip of its own. The Panthers couldn't close the gap, dropping the set 25-21 to even the match.
SET 3 | Georgia State's attack caught fire, hitting a set-best .455 as a team behind Julie Arias and Manuela Altieri Liev. The Panthers took the lead for good at 3-2, adding three service aces and four blocks at the net. GSU built separation while limiting Alabama A&M to a -.048 hitting mark. Georgia State stretched its lead to 11 points, its largest of the set, before finishing off a 25-14 win to move back on top 2-1.
SET 4 | Alabama A&M turned the set in its favor after four early ties, taking the lead for good at 11-10. The Bulldogs pulled away, extending the margin to as many as 13 points. Alabama A&M closed it out 25-12 to force a decisive fifth set.
SET 5 | The fifth set was tight throughout, with seven ties and three lead changes with neither team building more than a three-point cushion. Alabama A&M edged Georgia State with a .421 hitting percentage, sending the Bulldogs ahead down the stretch to win the final points. The Bulldogs took the set 15-13 and the match 3-2.
Game Notes
» Sophia Johnson recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs.
» Johnson also led the team with three service aces.
» Georgia State had three players reach double figures in kills.
» Akira Burt led the Panthers with 13 kills.
» Sigrun Jonsdottir paced Georgia State with 15 digs.
» Mina Olgar chipped in five blocks.
» Annelore Engels dished out a match-high 28 assists.
» Georgia State finished with the edge at the net, out-blocking Alabama A&M, 11.0 to 8.0
Up Next
The Panthers return home to close out the GSU Invitational, hosting West Georgia on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 2 p.m. at the GSU Sports Arena.
