ATLANTA – Josdarilee Caraballo and Hinsley Everett led the University of Evansville volleyball team with 13 kills apiece as the Purple Aces fell just short against Georgia State in Saturday's GSU Invitational finale. The Panthers wrapped up the afternoon with a 3-1 victory.
Box Score
"Today was a good fight against a really talented and athletic GSU team. At the end of the day, they won more of the 50/50 balls and a little bit more of the offensive battle, but we were right with them the whole time," Purple Aces head coach Zach Weinberg said following the contest. "I'm proud of how we adapted throughout the whole weekend, and it's very evident that we continue to get better. Now, we get to spend the next two weeks in Evansville, and we can't wait to host our home tournament!"
Caraballo added 11 digs to go along with her 13 kills while Ainoah Cruz led the squad with 22 digs. Sabrina Ripple recorded nine kills while Ryan Scheu had seven. Nazli Guvener was Georgia State's top performer tallying 13 kills.
Set 1 – GSU 25, UE 21
Sabrina Ripple gave the Aces an early 2-1 lead before the Panthers responded to go up 5-2 before extending the advantage to 9-4. Evansville reeled off five points in a row to tie the score as Ripple posted another kill, but Georgia State fended off the challenge to go up 16-11. GSU would lead by as many as seven at 22-15 before a late surge brought Evansville within two at 23-21. Chloe Cline got the run started with a kill while Ripple added another kill and block. Unfortunately, GSU regrouped to score the final two points to take the win.
Set 2 – GSU 25, UE 23
After Georgia State took a 3-1 lead, Evansville came back to tie the set at 5-5 on a Josdarilee Caraballo kill. The Panthers answered with another big run, retaking the lead and pushing it to 15-8. Just as they did in the first set, Evansville made a late rally. Maddie Hawkins' ace brought her team back within two at 22-20 but just as they did in the first set, GSU got the late points they needed for the set win.
Set 3 – UE 25, GSU 20
Hinsley Everett set the tone in the third game as she recorded consecutive kills to cap an 8-3 start for the Aces. Georgia State fought back with five in a row to tie it up at 8-8 but Evansville had its own answer, scoring the next three to assume an 11-8 lead. UE continued to hold the lead through the middle portions of the set, but a late surge by the Panthers knotted the game at 19-19. Ryan Scheu contributed a kill as UE scored the next three points before forcing a fourth set on the strength of a 25-20 decision.
Set 4 – GSU 25, UE 22
Taking advantage of four GSU errors, Evansville opened the fourth with a 4-2 lead and would hold it until the Panthers tied the score at 8-8 before grabbing a 13-8 edge. Following the 8-0 run by GSU, the Aces put together a run of their own, scoring four in a row to make it a 14-12 game. Kora Ruff had an ace while Caraballo added a kill. UE kept it close over the remainder of the set but could not get over the hump as the Panthers clinched the match with the 25-22 win.
On Friday and Saturday of next weekend, UE hosts its home tournament. UAB, Western Illinois, and Morehead State are slated to participate.
