Aug. 25, 2006
Box Score
ATLANTA, Ga. - The long awaited debut of the Kennesaw State women's volleyball team was meet with a great deal of positives although the Owls dropped their opening match to Georgia State, 3-0 (30-16, 31-29, 30-16) at the GSU Sports Arena.
The Owls (0-1) won the first point of the match and played with the confidence of a veteran squad in the early going. Both teams exchanged points throughout the beginning of the game and Georgia State led 6-5 before going on a 10-1 run to take control of the initial game.
After dropping the first game, Kennesaw State stormed back in the second game, leading Georgia State throughout and building a 25-21 advantage before the Panthers rallied to take the game 31-29.
Kennesaw State trailed 10-9 before going on a 6-2 run to lead 15-12. Lindsay Plotner and Ashley Landers combined on a block to begin the rally and Tara Dillon ended the run with a kill. The Panthers (1-0) were one point away from taking the second game before the Owls fought back with two consecutive points to extend the game.
"I think once we settled into the match we did a lot of good things," said head coach Valerie Jones on her squads debut. "We should some fight and came back when we needed."
Landers led the Owls with seven kills while Plotner and Jenny Black had five kills apiece. Georgia State junior Ana Ferreira had a game-high 14 kills and two aces on the night.
One of the highlights for the Owls came in blocks. Kennesaw State had nine blocks on the night compared to two by the Panthers. Plotner's 2.5 blocks led the Owls.
"We have some things we need to work out," added Jones. "But being together just two and a half weeks I'm pleased with where we are right now."
The Owls will make their home debut on Tuesday night, August 29 when they battle the Auburn Tigers at 7:00 p.m. at the KSU Convocation Center.
