Sept. 3, 2016
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Georgia Tech volleyball team (4-2) rallied from a 2-0 deficit to tie the match 2-2 and force a fifth frame, but K-State (4-2) prevailed 3-2 on Saturday night in the final match of the K-State Invite
How It Happened
The two teams battled back and forth in an opening frame that featured 12 tied scores. Gabriela Stavnetchei led Georgia Tech with four kills in game one, but the Wildcats prevailed 25-22.
Georgia Tech led set two 19-14, before K-State made a comeback to pull within one 21-20. The teams fought for the lead with four tied scores, but at 25-25 K-State scored two points to capture the game 27-25.
The Yellow Jackets overcame an 18-15 deficit to tie game three 22-22. Tech scored the next three points capped off with an ace from Rebecca Martin to win 25-22 and force a fourth frame.
Georgia Tech took the lead 8-7 and never looked back in the fourth game, winning 25-16 to stay alive and take the match to five sets.
K-State regrouped and jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the fifth stanza and led 8-3 at the switch. The Yellow Jackets rallied from down 12-6 to within two, 14-12, but the Wildcats held on to win 15-12.
Quote
“I’m proud of how we kept fighting and giving ourselves a chance to win the match,” head coach Michelle Collier said. “Our team competed really well against two very established programs today. It’s early in the season and we have so much to grow and get better as a group and individually. This group is resilient and we will take what we have learned this weekend and be ready to work hard next week to be a better team for our first home matches. It’s a long season, and a long process, and our goal is to keep getting better every chance we get.”
Quick Hits
– After putting down 15 kills in the morning match, Gabriela Stavnetchei tallied a career-high 16 kills against K-State with a career-best 19 digs for her first career double-double.
– London Ackermann tallied a career-high 32 digs and earned All-Tournament team honors.
– Tech recorded 103 digs in the match, which ties for the third-most digs in a single match in GT history.
– Teegan Van Gunst tallied 20 kills and 15 digs for her fourth double-double this season.
– Annika Van Gunst recorded a career-high 23 digs.
– Sydney Wilson tallied 13 kills and a .393 hitting percentage.
– Teegan Van Gunst and freshman Kodie Comby each had two solo blocks.
What’s Next
The Jackets open their 2016 home slate on Sept. 8 when they host the Georgia Challenge. Tech plays Georgia State at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, followed by a 7 p.m. match against Kennesaw State. Tech wraps up the tournament on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. against Georgia.
Follow Along
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech volleyball team, follow us on Twitter (@GTVolleyball), Instagram (GTVolleyball), Facebook (Georgia Tech Volleyball) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com.
