Volleyball comes up short at Cowgirl Invitational

The Georgia State Panthers went 0-3 this weekend in the University of Wyoming Cowgirl Invitational. Injuries plagued the Panthers with a total of eight players missing at one point this weekend. Senior Vineece Verdun returned to the court as the ladies headed to Wyoming for the first time in school history. The Panthers faced off against Idaho State, Illinois State and Wyoming this weekend. In their first match against Idaho State, the Panthers fought hard in the final two sets by taking the Bengals into extra points, but overall could not get the momentum to hold on to the match. Kaylee McGrew, who has played tremendously to start the season,boasted 26 assists in the match. Muki Kangwa, senior from Fort Myers, Florida, killed the ball a total of 13 times in the defeat. The Panthers were also unsuccessful in their second match in their Cowgirl Invitational. In a sweep by the Wyoming Cowgirls, the Panthers lost sets 25-15, 25-19 and 28-26. Verdun, along with Jamie Freeman, recorded double-digit kills in the loss. Recently off of injured reserve, Verdun killed the ball 14 times, while Freeman followed closely behind wit 12. With nine of her kills in the third set of the match, Verdun and the Panthers threatened to dominate the set; however the ladies could not capitalize on their 17-9 lead. Nevena Peeva, who has taken the place of the injured defensive specialist Emily Averbeck, led the team with 10 digs. The Panthers celebrated their only set win of the invitational in the final game against the Illinois State Redbirds. Georgia State defeated Illinois State 25-22 in the third set, but ultimately lost 25-19, 25-20 and 25-20 in the other three sets. Kangwa ended the weekend with 34 kills, and Verdun and Freeman left the invitational with 27 each. Georgia State (4-6) will look to break the four- game- losing streak as they face Mercer (1-8) in Macon, GA. this week. Mercer played in the Georgia Tech Regency Suites Invitational where they were swept by both Samford and Georgia Tech. The Bears have only won one home match, Norfolk State, and will look to improve their home record Tuesday at 6 p.m.