(Photo by Steffenie Burns / Georgia Sports Communication)
The Georgia volleyball team defeated Georgia Tech 3-1 at the Ramsey Center on Friday, powered by an explosive Bulldog crowd of 2,063 at the Ramsey Center.
Rachel Ritchie led the offensive charge for Georgia (10-3) with 19 kills, as T’ara Ceasar drove the defense with 18 digs, holding the Jackets to just a .138 hitting percentage on the match. Ceasar notched her fifth double-double of the season with 16 kills. Anna Kate Karstens and Amanda Dachs controlled the net with seven and five blocks, respectively.
“We’re excited about tonight,” head coach Tom Black said. “I thought the girls did a great job this week, and it’ll be great to get them back in the gym with the matches being more consistent.”
The Bulldogs jumped to a fast start with the first three points of the match, holding the margin for most of the frame. Georgia Tech (5-6), however, tied the match at 21, edging the Bulldogs 25-23 for the first-set win.
With the match tied at four in the second set, Georgia rattled off five consecutive points after an Amanda Dachs kill, who had five on the night. The Bulldogs strung together four straight points midway through the match for a 19-13 margin, highlighted by back-to-back block assists from Majesti Bass, who received help from Ritchie and Dachs. Georgia Tech fought off three-consecutive set points to tie the match at 24, but the Bulldogs prevailed 26-24.
Ceasar and Bass, who had 11 kills on the match, led the way in the third set as Georgia separated itself from Georgia Tech for a 25-18 final, taking a two sets to one advantage.
In the fifth set, Georgia Tech forced an early Georgia timeout with a 5-1 lead, but the Bulldogs quickly returned with eight consecutive points, building an advantage as large as eight points at 17-9. Georgia capitalized on six Yellow Jacket errors, including the decisive match-point, which sealed the Bulldogs 25-20 fifth set win.
The Bulldogs open conference play next Friday at 7 p.m. at the Ramsey Center, playing host to Alabama. The match will be streamed on SEC Network + with live stats.