Volleyball sweeps, then gets swept

Georgia State volleyball swept Colonial Athletic Association opponent Virginia Commonwealth Friday night at the GSU Sport Arena , but was swept by William & Mary Sunday afternoon after a weekend of conference of play.

The Panthers are now 8- 12 on the season, and have a conference record of 2-1.

The win over the VCU is the first time since 2007 that Georgia State has defeated the Rams. Strong serving by the Panthers allowed them to edge out the three-set victory 25-23, 25-22 and 25-23. Both Vineece Verdun and Jamiee Freeman served up three aces in the match to help the Panthers record a .957 serving percentage. Freeman is currently the CAA leader in aces with 33.

The Panthers had the Rams rattled in all three close sets, as the Rams gave up the game by committing several service and hitting errors. Freeman and Verdun were able to rattle the VCU defense with tie-breaking kills and aces. Senior Muki Kangwa added pressure of her own with a team high 15 kills.

In their second home match of the weekend, the Panthers lost to the William & Mary Tribe 23-25, 21-25, and 23-25. The win was the first CAA victory for The Tribe, and they advanced to 6-9 overall and 1-3 in conference competition.

In the first set, Georgia State was up 15-9 at one point, but due to hitting and service errors, W&M was able to come back and tie the game at 17 all. Throughout the afternoon, the Panthers were not able to maintain their blocks, which ultimately cost them the match. The Tribe got their first lead of the game after a Kangwa attempt was blocked, and then went up 18-17. The teams then exchanged points back and forth amidst rallies and hard hits.

Freeman tied the set 22 all with a hard-hitting kill after a W&M player sent a free ball in her direction. After small errors and an ace from W&M, Georgia State dropped the first set 23-25. Georgia State again opened the set on a roll, but allowed the Tribe to tie the game 7-7, and after that W&M never looked back. The Panthers kept relatively close during the set, but never led after the tie. Verdun got the Panthers within three at 21-24 with a kill, but again errors cost the team the set. Verdun led the team with 12 kills against the Tribe.

Again in the third set, Georgia State came out swinging, literally. Right away Verdun came out with a kill to give the Panthers a 3-1 lead. And when the Tribe threatened to come close, Andrea Noe shook the gym with a slam. After a service error by W&M, Georgia State went up 16-10. But the lead slowly dwindled, as little by little the Tribe crept back in the game. Paulette Grand Pre, tied the game 22-22 driving the ball home for the Tribe. Then, after Georgia State called a timeout, Verdun made a block to give the Panthers a one-point lead. Confusion as to who was going to hit the ball between Kangwa and Verdun tied the game again at 23 all. With the set tied, Grand Pre tipped the ball over the net for a kill, and then after a rally, a Verdun attempt was blocked and the Tribe finished their sweep of the Panthers. Grand Pre led both teams with 18 kills.

The teams tied a total of 12 times in the game and exchanged leads six times. Senior setter Chelsea Perry, who replaced the injured Kaylee McGrew, played tremendously in both games and recorded 63 assists.

Georgia State will play their next five CAA matches away, and will return to the Sports Area Oct. 28 against George Mason.