The Georgia Southern volleyball team opened conference play with two losses over the weekend during their annual Carolina trip.

On Friday, the team was swept by Coastal Carolina, 3-0. The Chanticleers were led by sophomore opposite Anett Nemeth who put up nine kills with two blocks. Sophomore middle hitter Baylor Bumford tied her second highest percentage of .400 to lead GS on offense. With the win, CCU improved to 11-2 before defeating the GS rival Georgia State on Sunday.

““It was a tough way to open up the conference schedule on the road against a really solid Coastal team,” Willis said. “From the onset, they really pressured our first contact, and we struggled to really establish any sort of rhythm or consistency. We started to show more of our priorities and what we’re capable of in the third set tonight.”

On Sunday, the team traveled north to Appalachian State, the former home of Head Coach Chad Willis, and fell 3-1. The Mountaineers played a solid defense and had three athletes with double digit kills. GS was led by sophomore outside hitter Maddie Bryant who had 12 kills, while junior libero Landon Jones accumulated 18 digs.

“It’s obviously not the result we wanted today against a good App team,” Willis said. “Once again, I thought first contact sort of let us down as the match progressed. We are learning what kind of team we can be when we stay true to our process and the priorities we’re about. Consistent effort will continue to be a focus moving forward.”

The team holds a 5-8 record as they return to Hanner Fieldhouse this weekend to take on Troy and South Alabama.

Amanda Arnold, The George-Anne Sports Editor, gasports@georgiasouthern.edu