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OXFORD, Miss. – The Kennesaw State volleyball team ended its weekend at the Ole Miss Magnolia Invitational with a straight set loss, 3-0 (12-25, 17-25, 17-25), to in-state rival Georgia Southern on Saturday morning in the Gillom Sports Center.
 
Despite the loss, senior libero Camille Pedraza landed a spot on the All-Tournament Team with 58 digs and a 5.27 digs per set average through three matches in Oxford, Miss., including a pair of 20-dig outings.
 
The Owls fall to 1-5 on the year after the defeat and were led offensively by sophomore Cierra Royster who put up 10 kills and a .368 attack percentage.
 
"You have to give credit to Georgia Southern, who was hands down the best team we played so far this year," said head coach Keith Schunzel. "They're extremely consistent in all phases of the game. And while we had some bright spots, we couldn't sustain the level needed to beat them. We're going to keep our heads up and get back to work in the gym on Monday and look forward to hosting a great tournament next weekend."
 
The Owls never led during the opening set but did manage to cut a 10-2 Georgia Southern (6-1) lead down to 10-6 after a 4-0 run, picking up points on a pair of kills from Royster. The Eagles then took off on a 10-1 offensive stretch to end out the set, 25-12.
 
KSU grabbed its first lead of the match in the second set as setter Sara Metroka picked up the kill to give the Owls a 2-1 edge early on. After falling behind 9-5, the Owls then tied things up at nine with four straight points on kills from Royster and Toure Hopkins. But it was again Georgia Southern that came out on top, 25-17.
 
After the Eagles took off to a 6-0 lead in the third, the Owls managed to cut it down to just a four-point advantage midway, scoring four straight to set the score at 13-9, capitalizing on a pair of GSU errors. A 4-1 run by the Eagles then ended the set and the match, 25-17.
 
Kelly Marcinek was second behind Royster in the kills category with her seven with Hopkins finishing up with six. Setter Sara Metroka was good for 28 kills as well.
 
KSU will make its long-awaited home debut this Friday, Sept. 13, as the Owls host Tennessee Tech at noon ET in the KSU Invitational.
 
To keep up with the latest Kennesaw State volleyball news follow the team on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsVB or by liking Kennesaw State University on Facebook.

Fans are reminded that tickets to all 2013 home volleyball contests are free throughout the year.
 

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