Libero Sarah Martinez serves to the Panthers. Martinez led the Red Wolves in digs.

Photo by Abigail Leggett | Special to the Herald

The Red Wolves faced off against the Georgia State Panthers in a two game series that saw Arkansas State get their first 2-0 conference start since 2018. 

The first game was Friday and the Red Wolves won their first set 25-18. The Red Wolves racked up 15 kills in the set, and outside hitter Kaitlin Whitlock and setter Erin Madigan each scored an ace. 

The Red Wolves crushed the Panthers in the second set, winning 25-11 with two more aces from Whitlock and 13 kills from the team as a whole. 

During the third set, the Panthers improved their play, beating the Red Wolves 25-20, forcing a fourth set. Setter Valeria Ortiz served an ace and the Red Wolves finished the set with 11 kills and 9 errors.

The Red Wolves managed to bounce back in the fourth set, winning both the set and the game 25 to 9. A-State had three aces in the final set from Ortiz, Madigan and libero Mia Maloney. 

By the end of the first game, outside hitter Grace Wiley tied outside hitter Bailey Hall for the most kills with 11 each, Whitlock had the most aces with three and Ortiz had the most assists with 18. 

Defensively, middle blocker Daedrianna Cail finished the game with nine blocks and libero Sarah Martinez had 14 digs. 

The Red Wolves celebrate a set win

Photo by Abigail Leggett | Special to the Herald

The second game on Saturday started with a very close set until Panthers’ outside hitter Keionna Mackey served four consecutive aces, beating the Red Wolves 25 to 20 in the first set. 

The Red Wolves came back for the second set, barely letting the Panthers score before winning the set 25 to 8. 

Even though the Panthers started off strong in the third set, Wiley led the Red Wolves to score four in a row, helping A-State to win the third set 25 to 15. 

To finish the game, A-State swapped the first set’s score, winning 25-20 against the Panthers. Bringing their record to 2-0 in conference play and 12-2 overall. 

Wiley and outside hitter Devyn Lewis led the second game in kills with 10 each. Ortiz tied her career high in assists in the game with 26. 

Defensively, Cail was back leading the team in blocks, racking up 6 in the game. Both Martinez and Madigan had 14 digs throughout the sets. 

The next A-State volleyball game is away against Southern Mississippi on Oct. 3-4. The Golden Eagles are currently 6-8 overall and 2-0 in conference play. 

Categories: Sports