ATLANTA – Little Rock volleyball (8-10, 4-4 Sun Belt) earned a four-set win (25-23, 18-25, 25-21, 25-23) over Georgia State (4-13, 0-7) at the GSU Sports Arena on Sunday afternoon.
Marina Avram tied a career-high with 13 kills while
Edina Selimovic picked up the double-double with 10 kills and 10 total blocks.
Veronica Marin set a career-high with seven total blocks
The Trojans began the fourth frame with another 9-2 lead before Georgia State called a timeout. Out of the timeout, Selimovic earned an ace to give Little Rock a 10-2 lead. The Panthers then closed the gap to two points as they went on a 7-1 run before a Trojan timeout. Georgia State eventually tied the set at 13-13 with a kill by Jordan Screen. At 15-15, a kill by Kristina Stinson put Georgia State ahead for the first time in the set. Down by four at 22-18, Little Rock went on a 5-1 to tie the set at 23-23 and force a Georgia State timeout. After the timeout a Panther attack error and kill by Avram gave Little Rock the 3-1 win over Georgia State.
Little Rock got off to a hot start in the third set as it scored seven straight points after being tied 2-2 to begin the frame. The Trojans took a ten-point lead at 16-6 after a Georgia State attack error. With Little Rock ahead 17-7, the Panthers closed the gap to two points at 19-17 as the Trojans called their final timeout of the set. Georgia State got within a point at 20-19 before Little Rock stretched its lead back to three at 22-19. With set point at 24-21, Avram earned the ace to put the set away and give the Trojans a 2-1 lead for the match. Selimovic had four block assists in the set alone.
Georgia State started the second frame with a 3-0 lead before Selimovic responded with a kill. The Panthers took a six-point lead at 11-5 before the Trojans called the first timeout of the set. Out of the timeout, Georgia State increased its lead to seven after a Trojan attack error. Little Rock wasn't going to go down without a fight as it battled back and closed the gap to two points at 14-12 and again at 15-13. The Panthers stayed ahead for the rest of the frame and eventually took the set 25-18 to tie the match at 1-1.
After starting the first set down 2-0, Little Rock went on a four-point rally to take a 4-2 lead. After taking the early lead, the Trojans went on to lead the rest of the set. The Panthers got within a point at 13-12, but the Trojan offensive continued. The Trojans took an eight-point lead at 22-14 after scoring five straight points. Georgia State made it interesting late as they once again got with one at 24-23, but a kill by Dillard sealed the deal and gave Little Rock a 1-0 lead.
Miona Milovanovic ended the match with seven kills and three block while
Taylor Lindberg finished with 30 assists, two kills and three blocks.
Priscila Almeida finished with 18 digs while
Kelsey Leech and
Sydnee Martin came in with eight digs each.
Little Rock returns to action against South Alabama on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. inside the Jack Stephens Center.
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