Aug. 25, 2017
THE FLATS — Opening its 2017 season at home in the first match of the Hyatt Regency Invitational, Georgia Tech volleyball (0-1) fell to Auburn (1-0), 3-0, on Friday night at O’Keefe Gymnasium. The Jackets are right back at it Saturday morning, Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. when they take on Furman.
Head coach Michelle Collier says:
“I think it was just a great team on the other side, they played almost perfect on defense. I think their setter played a tremendous match, just really putting their hitters in great position. I think that was the biggest part of the game, Auburn controlled the offensive side at a higher level than we performed offensively on our side. I saw some good things though. We stayed resilient and we tried to make adjustments. We are going to have to regroup but I saw some good volleyball out there. We’re going to have to learn to be a little cleaner but I’m looking forward to the rest of the weekend.”
How it happened:
The two teams battled back and forth in the first, trading points before Tech took the lead at 5-4 as senior Ashley Askin hit one off the block. The Jackets pushed their lead to 7-4 but the Tigers climbed back into it, taking the lead at 11-10. Tech did not regain the lead from there and the Tigers took the set at 25-18.
Auburn carried the momentum into the second set and the Jackets just couldn’t catch a break, falling quickly 25-13.
The Jackets regrouped during the break, tying the match at 11-11 off freshman Cori Clifton’s fourth kill of the match but for every point the Jackets took the Tigers responded. Tech would pull back within two at 18-16 but that would be it as Auburn put away the set and the match at 25-18 for the 3-0 win.
Up next:
The Jackets return to O’Keefe Saturday morning when they take on Furman at 10 a.m. before facing No. 17 Michigan State at 8 p.m. Admission to the morning match is free. Fans can purchase tickets for the evening session, which starts at 6 p.m. with Auburn-Furman, here .
Quick Hits:
– Senior Gabriela Stavnetchei recorded a career-high 11 kills, leading the Jackets on offense.
– Four freshmen made their collegiate debuts for Tech: Alessia Del Romano, Cori Clifton, Sam Knapp and Nicole Alford.
– Emily Becker made her first career start.
For the latest information on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, follow us on Twitter (@GTVolleyball), Facebook (Georgia Tech Volleyball) or visit us at www.ramblinwreck.com .
