Trojans Come From Behind, Extend Streak

Tuesday, September 6

Atlanta, Ga.

7:00 p.m. (est)

Troy University

Georgia State University

Photo by: Cass Davis

9/6/2011 9:29:00 PM | Volleyball

By: Matt Mays

Box Score

ATLANTA, Ga. – The Troy University volleyball team took its five-game winning streak on the road Tuesday night, and it seemed as though the streak was over. However, the Trojans overcame a 0-2 deficit and downed Georgia State, 3-2.

The short-handed Trojans (6-2) six-game winning streak is the longest since 2002 and currently sits as the longest streak in the Sun Belt.

The Trojans captured the five-set thriller without their primary setter and also saw a school record fall along the way.

“It was a great match to be a part of and I couldn't be more proud of our team,” head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick said. “We had some Individuals step up, but we stayed within the team concept and they didn't want to let each other down.”

The Trojans return to action this weekend at the Owls Classic hosted by Kennesaw State. Troy will paly three matches in Kennesaw, Ga., before returning home to host Alabama A&M at Sartain Hall on Tuesday, September 13.

Check back with TroyTrojans.com for results and recaps. Fans can also follow Troy on Twitter @TroyAthletics or become a fan on Facebook.

TROY 3, GEORGIA STATE 2 (17-25, 23-25, 31-29, 25-21,15-12)

The Trojans entered the match without their primary setter, Alexandra Alexander, whose 10.5 assists per set currently sit second in the Sun Belt. Junior transfer Mailande Parker took the reins from Alexander and dished out 47 assists in a five-set thriller.

Parker wasn't the only headline as Courtney Cohen broke her own school record with 35 digs in the match. Parker finished second on the squad with 20 digs. Lizzie Clough and Kelley Curran also posted double-digit digs on the night.

After tying a career-high with six total blocks on Friday, senior Brittany McClelland outdid herself and put down nine blocks.

Breanna Cullity paced the Trojans offensive attack as she recorded 17 kills. Kayla Pickart and Natasha Kolunija recorded 16 and 15 kills respectively.

The Trojans fell in an early 0-2 hole, despite hitting .194 and .233 in the opening sets. The Panthers (4-4) however, came out on fire and hit .314 and .214 in the opening sets.

Troy's winning streak seemed destine to come an end as the Trojans battled through the third set but still found themselves facing match-point at 24-21. Troy however did not back down as they rattled off four straight points and flipped the script on GSU, taking a 25-24 lead. The Trojans would go on to take the third set, 31-29, marking the longest set the Trojans have played this season.

The come-from-behind effort in the third frame set the table for the Trojans best offense set, as Troy posted 19 kills, hit .366 and took the fourth set 25-21. The momentum was too much for Georgia State to handle as Troy went on to take the final set, 15-12.