Georgia State volleyball concludes Jax Marriott Classic

Release courtesy of Georgia State Athletics:

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Georgia State’s volleyball team played its second five-set match in as many days last Saturday. This time, it was the Panthers (2-5) on the losing end of the match, falling to Jacksonville (3-4) 18-25, 25-23, 17-25, 25-23, and 12-15. Saturday’s match marked the end of the Jax Marriott Classic in which GSU went 1-2.

Junior Eliza Zachary claimed all-tournament honors after posting 39 kills on .391 hitting along with eight blocks in the three-match classic. Her 21 kills on Saturday matched her career-high.

“Eliza elevated her game to the next level this weekend and is quickly emerging as a go-to player for our team,” head coach Sally Polhamus said.

Junior Kitan Ajanaku hit .364 on Saturday, amounting 11 kills as well as three blocks. Junior Natalia Nieto, celebrating a birthday, recorded 41 assists to lead Georgia State. Sophomore Molly Shonk’s 20 digs was most on the Panther squad. Nieto and sophomore Kristina Stinson each had 12 digs as well.

In the first match of the Classic against Bethune-Cookman last Friday, Georgia State lost the first set 25-16 before winning the second set 25-14 and the third 25-22. The Wildcats forced a fifth set with their 25-21 win in the fourth. In the fifth, the Panthers shut the door with a 15-12 win.

Zachary hit .421 with 12 kills and had two total blocks while freshman Kaylyn Torain had 10 kills on .450 hitting with five total blocks. Senior Andrea’ Ezell led Georgia State in blocks with six and also had a season-high six kills. Fellow senior Andrea Book hit .375 with four kills while junior Gabby Serafin had 14 digs for the Panthers.

The Panthers were swept in three sets in their second match last Friday to North Florida 25-22, 25-16, and 25-21. Deidra Bohannon led the Panthers with 11 kills, but the Ospreys outhit GSU .294-.150.

Georgia State hits the road again this weekend to compete in Appalachian State’s Black and Gold Challenge. The Panthers will face the hosts on Friday before taking on Maryland and Radford on Saturday.