Comeback Comes Up Short in SEC Opener at South Carolina, 3-2

Wednesday, September 22

Columbia, S.C.

8:00 p.m.

University of Georgia

4-8, 0-1SEC

South Carolina

9-2, 1-0SEC

Georgia

South Carolina

Comeback Comes Up Short in SEC Opener at South Carolina, 3-2

September 22, 2021 | Volleyball

Box Score

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of Georgia women's volleyball team won a decisive fourth set to force a five-set contest in the 2021 Southeastern Conference opener against South Carolina but fell in the final frame at the Carolina Volleyball Center Wednesday evening (26-24, 17-25, 22-25, 25-17, 7-15).

"We learned a lot tonight," said head coach Tom Black. "Both things we liked, and things we have to continue to improve. The key is to grow our ability to compete for longer periods of time. We're certainly looking forward to being home next Wednesday to host Florida."

Junior outside hitter Kacie Evans paced the Bulldogs with 14 kills and 13 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Seniors Sage Naves and Kayla Rivera each tallied 11 kills with five blocks on the evening. Naves' kill count was a season high.

Sophomore libero Mallory Downing put up 11 digs while fellow sophomore Phoebe Awoleye registered eight blocks. As a team, the Bulldogs recorded a season-best 15 blocks.

With Georgia (4-8, 0-1) down 5-3 in the opening set, the Bulldogs won seven-of-nine rallies to go ahead 10-7 and prompt a Gamecock timeout. South Carolina (9-2, 1-0) tied it at 12-all and a point-for-point battle ensued. The Gamecocks took a two-point lead and Georgia called timeout down 19-17. After the break, Georgia rattled off three-straight to go back in front 20-19; however, South Carolina responded with three-straight of its own to force Georgia's second timeout, 22-20. Down 23-20, UGA won the next three rallies to tie it up then the Gamecocks drew set point. Kills from Evans and Stivrins flipped the script and Georgia held set point. A South Carolina attack error sealed the opening frame for the Bulldogs, 26-24. Evans led the offense with four kills and the team hit .333 to South Carolina's .164.

The first set featured 14 ties and the lead changed hands six times.

The Gamecocks jumped out to an early lead in the second set and held on, leading by as much as eight points in the set. South Carolina never let its foot off the gas in the second en route to a 25-17 set two victory to tie the match at a set apiece.

In set three, South Carolina led to begin the set and held on to the advantage, but Georgia never fell out of striking distance. A 3-0 run by South Carolina opened a 19-15 lead. After a break, Georgia won the next two rallies to cut it back to two, 19-17. Trailing 20-17, a 3-1 Bulldog run made it a one-point set, 20-21; but the Gamecocks were able to hold on and take the set 25-22 and a 2-1 lead in the match. Georgia hit .367 and registered six blocks in the set despite the loss.

Down 10-9 in the fourth, the Bulldogs won nine-of-11 rallies to earn an 18-12 lead in a must-win set. Georgia held on to the momentum and rolled to a 25-17 win in set force to force the fifth and final set in the conference opener.

A 3-0 Gamecock run put South Carolina ahead 6-4 in the fifth and Georgia used a timeout. Ahead 9-6, the Gamecocks finished the set on a 7-1 run, 15-7, to take the match in five.

Up next, the Bulldogs will host No. 17 Florida at Stegeman Coliseum next Wednesday, Sept. 29. The 7 p.m. match will air nationally on ESPNU. Fans are encouraged to wear red and the first 500 fans will receive a free red t-shirt. Additionally, the first 300 students will receive free coffee and donuts for National Coffee Day courtesy of Community Coffee and Kroger.