Brooks's Career Night Leads Troy In Five Set Thriller Over Georgia Southern

Friday, October 15

Troy, Ala.

6 p.m.

Troy University

11-7,4-3Sun Belt

Georgia Southern

12-5,5-2Sun Belt

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Ga. Southern	24	22	25	26	15	2
Troy	26	25	15	24	17	3

Brooks's Career Night Leads Troy In Five Set Thriller Over Georgia Southern

10/15/2021 10:26:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Troy vs. Ga. Southern Photo Gallery

By: Troy Athletics Communications

Troy, Ala. – It was a thrilling affair Friday night as Troy defeated Georgia Southern in five sets (26-24, 25-22, 15-25, 24-26, 17-15) from Trojan Arena. Troy ends a three-game losing streak against the Eagles.

"What a great competitive match tonight," head coach Josh Lauer said. "I was proud of the composure our players had at the end. We had players step up at key moments and compete. This is what we signed up for, to play great matches and be completive, which is why we train so hard to play the game for moments like these. The fans brought the energy, and I can't thank them enough for their support, and I'm glad they got to see some great volleyball."

Troy (11-7, 4-3) had a team effort out on the court tonight as they were led by Julia Brooks, who had a career-high 24 kills on the night, hitting .362 and four blocks. Brooks was followed by Cheyenne Hayes, who had a season-high 21 kills and 11 digs for her fourth double-double. Amara Anderson had a season-high 59 assists, five away from her career-high, with 20 digs, for her fifth double-double of the year. Tori Hester added the third double-double of the Trojan night as she recorded 14 kills 12 digs.

Georgia State (12-5, 5-2) dropped their second conference game of the year as Baylor Bumford led the Eagles with 16 kills, followed by Mya Wilson and Chamblee Wilson with 10 kills each. Ashlyn Lovett contributed 27 digs to lead the match, and Grace Slader added 39 assists. As a team, the Eagles recorded 19 blocks.

First Set: The First saw both teams in a tightly contested set. The Trojans were able to get out to an 18-14 lead following a kill from Cheyenne Hayes. Caitlin Cooper kept the lead at four after a kill of her own. However, the Eagles kept fighting as they would fend off three set points to tie the match at 24. Julia Brooks would add to her big night as she got a kill and finished the set off with a block to give the Trojans the advantage 26-24.

Second Set: The second set saw 19 tie scores and six lead changes as it was tied 15-15 heading into the media timeout. A service ace from Tori Hester would tie things up once again at 20-20. Attack errors by Georgia Southern saw the Trojans extend their lead as they would not allow the Eagles to fend off any more set points as the Trojans would win 25-22.

Third Set: The Eagles would not be swept, however, as they used an eight-point run to get out to a 22-12 lead and not look back as Troy would have their lowest hitting percentage of the math to go along with 10 kills also their lowest of all five sets. Eagles would win 25-15

Fourth Set: Georgia Southern would use that momentum from the third set to jump to a 15-11 lead at the media timeout. The Trojans would score five straight points and take a 20-19 lead, thanks to Julia Brooks once again. Georgia Southern would apply the pressure and force more mistakes from the Trojans, but Tori Hester could fend off the first set point with a kill and tie things up at 24. Tori Hester looked to tie things up again, but an unsuccessful challenge went the Trojan's way, and Georgia Southern tied the match up at two sets apiece.

Fifth Set: This was the Trojan's fourth match to go to a fifth set, having one won and losing two before this. The back and forth would continue as neither team would have a larger lead of two. Going down twice, Julia Brooks, who had nine kills alone in the fifth set, would bring the Trojans back. Attack errors by both sides prolonged the set after the 15^th point, but Cheynne Hayes wouldn't allow it to go any further as her 21^st kill of the night ended the match, giving Troy the victory.

Up Next: Troy will welcome Georgia State to Trojan Arena Saturday, October 16, with a first serve slated for 6 p.m.