Georgia 3, Furman 0
ATHENS, Ga. ? The Furman Paladin volleyball team fell 3-0 to host Georgia in the second match of the Bulldog Invitational on Sunday.
Furman took their only lead of the first set on the first point, a kill by Nicole Palazzo. Georgia tied the score at one-one with a kill from Maria Taylor, and went on to lead by as many as 11 points before taking the opening set 25-17.
Furman again took an early lead in the second set, helped by a service error from Georgia and a service ace by Brooke Ellison. After a tied score at six, the Bulldogs pulled away to take the set 25-15. Furman’s offense struggled in the second set, with the team hitting a combined -.138 hitting percentage.
The Paladins seemed to turn the match around in the third set, tying the score six times and holding a slight lead early in the set, but the Bulldogs again rallied to take the third and final set by a score of 25-15.
Furman was led by senior Alison West’s seven kills and six digs, while libero Brooke Ellison contributed six defensive saves as well. As a whole, the Paladins’ offense struggled, combining for a -.024 team hitting percentage for the match. The team totaled seven blocks, but was outblocked by the Bulldogs 13-7.
Georgia was led by Maria Taylor’s 16 kills and libero Carla Teitz’s 12 digs. Freshman defensive specialist Tomoka Matsuyama added 10 digs to the winning effort.
With the loss, Furman falls to 1-1 on the season, while Georgia improves to 1-1. Furman will face Georgia Tech on Sunday at 4:30 to conclude play at the Bulldog Invitational. The Yellow Jackets are undefeated in tournament play.
Georgia Tech 3, Furman 1
ATHENS, Ga. ? The Furman Paladins took the first set of the match, but couldn’t hold on against Georgia Tech as the Yellow Jackets defeated the Paladins 3-1 in the final match of the Bulldog Invitational in Athens, Ga.
Furman got off to a good start in the first set, holding the Yellow Jackets to a .000 team hitting percentage and fighting off eight tied scores to take the set 25-23.
The Yellow Jackets rallied in the second set, taking a game that was tied at 7-7 and going on a 7-1 run before taking the set 25-17.
The third and fourth sets mirrored the second, with the Paladins starting strong, but unable to hold on as Georgia Tech took each of the last two sets 25-17. During the third and fourth sets, Georgia Tech combined for an impressive .430 hitting percentage, while the Paladins managed only a .080 mark.
Furman was led by senior Nicole Palazzo’s 11 kills, .474 hitting percentage and five total blocks, a bright spot for the Paladins. Sophomore Katherine Hall added eight kills and junior setter Kelsey Salava racked up 30 assists and two service aces. Red shirt junior Emily Harby led the team with 10 digs, while libero Brooke Ellison contributed nine. The team combined for 11 blocks.
Georgia Tech had three hitters in double digits, with Brittany Roderick and Alison Campbell racking up 15 each and Bailey Hunter adding 11.
Sophomore setter Mary Ashley Tippins ran the offense with 37 assists and Campbell led the defense with 16 digs for a double-double.
With the loss, Furman falls to 1-2 early in the season, while Georgia Tech remains undefeated with a 3-0 record. The Paladins will have little time to rest, as they return to Greenville tomorrow for the team’s first home match against non-conference opponent Florida International. Match time is 3:00 p.m. and the match will be played in Alley Gymnasium on the campus of Furman University.