BOONE, N.C. -- Appalachian State volleyball posted its 10th Sun Belt victory of the season with a 25-14, 25-17, 25-20 victory over Georgia State on Friday evening inside the Holmes Center.
App State has now won five in a row and stands at 18-7 overall and 10-3 in the Sun Belt. It marks the third time the Mountaineers have reached double digit Sun Belt victories since joining the league in 2014. The Black and Gold also hold a one game lead on Coastal Carolina for first place in the Sun Belt East Division.
Emma Longley recorded her fourth consecutive double-double with 15 kills on a .268 hitting percentage and 12 digs.
Kara Spicer added 11 kills, against just two errors on 17 attempts, to finish with a .529 hitting mark.
Grace Morrison added eight kills and hit .438.
Becky Porter dished out 39 assists and added eight digs.
Emma Reilly finished with a team-high 14 digs to go along with two service aces.
The Mountaineers wasted no time taking control of the match, winning 11 of the first 14 points to take a commanding 11-3 lead in the first set. The Panthers (6-17, 3-10 SBC) pulled within six points, but the Mountaineers pulled away and a kill from
Victoria Wilform clinched the opening set 25-14.
Georgia State took an early lead in Set 2, but App State used a 4-0 run to open a 12-10 edge. After the Panthers won the next two points, the Mountaineers responded by taking seven of the next nine points to take a 19-14 advantage. Longley closed out the set with a kill to give the Black and Gold a 2-0 lead.
In the final set, Appalachian used another 4-0 spurt to break a 9-9 tie and take a 13-9 lead. Following a Panther point, the Mountaineers won four consecutive points to expand their lead to 17-10. Georgia State would pull within four points at 24-20, but a Panther service error on match point clinched the sweep for App State.
In all, the Black and Gold hit .290 in the victory and recorded 48 kills.
Appalachian State will close out the home portion of its season on Sunday with a 12:30 p.m. match against Georgia Southern. The Mountaineers will also honor their four seniors,
Sydney Hinds,
Melissa McMath,
Becky Porter and
Jenna Talbert prior to the start of the contest.
