Atlanta Volleyball Thrills Fans with Heart-Stopping Matches
This past Saturday, the city of Atlanta buzzed with excitement as the Old Dominion Monarchs faced off against the Georgia State Panthers in a thrilling volleyball showdown at the GSU Sports Arena. Unfortunately for the Monarchs, it was another tough battle that led to a narrow 3-2 defeat, marking their second loss in two days against the Panthers.
A Roller Coaster of a Match
Right from the get-go, it was clear that this match wasn’t going to be an easy ride. The Monarchs kicked things off with a strong start, grabbing the first four points and quickly establishing a 6-1 lead in the opening set. However, the Panthers weren’t about to back down. They fought back and leveled the score at 22-22, sending the crowd into a frenzy. With tension in the air, ODU called a timeout, hoping to regroup.
After some back-and-forth action that saw two more ties at 23-23 and 24-24, Georgia State’s Akira Burt made her mark by converting a critical attack attempt and then following it up with a sensational solo block, sealing the first set for the Panthers at 26-24.
Monarchs Bounce Back
Not willing to let defeat have the last word, Old Dominion came roaring back in the second set. They kept things tight until Ashlyn Belcher assisted Myah Conway, which sparked an impressive 7-0 run for ODU. This strong push allowed the Monarchs to even the match at one set apiece, triumphantly concluding the set 25-17.
Shifting Momentum
With spirits high, ODU opened up the third set with a quick 5-2 lead, showcasing great teamwork that included notable blocks from Alice Munari and Emma Schelah. Unfortunately, Georgia State effectively turned the tide, claiming seven of the next eight points to pull ahead. Despite great efforts from the Monarchs, who managed to narrow the score with another assist from Adrienne Peji to Elisa Maggi, the Panthers clinched the third set 25-19, putting ODU in a challenging position.
Fourth Set Drama
The fourth set was nothing short of thrilling. The Monarchs seemed to find their rhythm again, highlighted by three kills from Hailee Blankenship, putting ODU up 18-11. But the fight was far from over as the Panthers stormed back, launching a 4-0 run that flipped the momentum. With both teams locked at 23-23, they traded punches back and forth, but it was ODU who managed to string together three consecutive points, winning the set in dramatic fashion 31-29.
Bouncing Back to a Final Set
As the match headed into the decisive fifth set, the excitement was palpable. The Monarchs highlighted their resilience, with Maggi leading the offense with a new career-best of 20 kills, hitting at an impressive rate of .245. Conway added 13 kills and three blocks, while LeeAnne Lowery contributed nine kills. Belcher was pivotal as well, surpassing 50 assists for the second time this weekend with a total of 52 assists and 15 digs.
A Tough Final Set
Yet, despite bringing their best game, Old Dominion couldn’t quite seal the victory in the fifth set. The Panthers surged ahead with a stunning 6-0 run to take an 11-3 lead, leaving the Monarchs struggling to keep pace. The final score saw Georgia State triumph at 3-2 overall.
Looking Ahead
As this intense weekend wrapped up, the Monarchs now hold a record of 14-5 overall and 3-3 in the Sun Belt Conference. Looking forward, they will be hitting the road to Hattiesburg, Mississippi for a couple of important matches against Southern Miss on the weekend of October 25-26. With their spirits unbroken, ODU is ready to dig deep and come back swinging!
