By: by KSU Sports Information
Box Score
KENNESAW, Ga. - Justine Young had 20 kills and Camille Pedraza set a new Kennesaw State record with 28 digs as the Owls fell, 3-2 (19-25, 25-16, 24-26, 25-23, 15-13), to Georgia State in front of a record crowd of 1,222 fans at the KSU Convocation Center.
The Owls (5-10) led 8-1 and 13-7 in the final set, but Georgia State scored the final eight points of the match to get the victory. The Panthers used five kills, a service ace, and two KSU attack errors to end the night in disappointing fashion for the home squad.
In the opening set, the Owls broke open a 12-12 tie with seven of the next eight points to take a 19-13 lead that wouldn't be relinquished. The Panthers jumped on the Owls early in the second set, taking a 9-2 lead before winning the second set, 25-16, to send the match into intermission.
Following the break, the teams played three outstanding sets of volleyball. Down 12-9, the Owls came back to take a two-point lead, 15-13. The lead would buldge to four after a solo block by Holly Knight made the score 19-15, but with the Owls holding two set points at 24-22, the Panthers won consecutive points to tie the set, 24-all. Following a KSU timeout, back-to-back attack errors by the Panthers handed the set to KSU, 26-24.
The fourth set seemed as though it would play like the second, as Georgia State raced out to an 8-2 lead. This time, the Owls fought back quickly, tying the set at 12 following a block by Young and Baylee Strachan. The teams swapped points until a GSU hitting error and a Knight kill gave the Owls the lead, 17-16. The lead would be short-lived as the Panthers rallied back to lead, 19-18, after a service ace. The teams would continue to knot the score until it was 23-all; however, the Panthers would score the final two points on consecutive attack errors by the Owls.
Keyaira Stevenson followed Young on the kill sheet with 15, while Knight had 10. Sara Metroka had her fourth double-double of the season with 54 assists and 10 digs. Strachan led the Owls with five total blocks.
KSU will be back in action when it opens Atlantic Sun Conference play this Friday at 7 p.m. at the KSU Convocation Center. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
