University of Georgia Athletics
University of Georgia
5-12, 0-5
South Carolina
8-12, 1-6
McCray Throws Block Party Vs. USC
October 14, 2015 | Volleyball
Quick highlights from Georgia volleyball's match against South Carolina from the Ramsey Center in Athens.
Oct. 14, 2015
ATHENS, Ga. --- The blocking game came up big Wednesday night for the Bulldogs, but it wouldn't be enough as the Georgia volleyball team (5-12, 0-5) faltered against South Carolina (8-12, 1-6) 3-0 at UGA's Ramsey Center.
"We just keep talking about what positives we can continue to build on," said head coach Lizzy Stemke. "We were much better blocking at the net, and that's something we have been talking about and working on. Offensively, we want to make sure we are coming out of the gates with big swings. We saw that really light up here in the third set, but it sort of felt like we were chasing all match. We need to make sure that we are stronger, more eager and taking bigger risks."
The Bulldogs outblocked the Gamecocks 12-4, led by a season-best nine blocks from redshirt junior Desiree McCray. The Columbia, S.C., native added five kills as well against her hometown team.
"Des really raised her game tonight," Stemke said. "She had a big challenge throughout the week. We talked a lot about getting more positive touches, and she did a really nice job of making an adjustment and taking ownership of the net."
Along with McCray, redshirt junior Megan Spencer tallied five blocks while sophomore Maddie Lobenstein boosted Georgia's blocking numbers with four blocks, including a solo stop.
Sophomore Amanda Dachs recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 11 digs. Junior Elle McCord and sophomore Cassidy Anderson also notched double-digit digs with 15 and 10, respectively.
Up early in the first set, Georgia fell behind after a 4-0 run by the visitors to go up 7-4. Georgia got within one at 14-13, but South Carolina's 17 kills would lead it to a 25-17 win.
Six blocks from McCray had Georgia in striking distance in the second frame. Down 19-13, McCray had her hand in four-straight stops with assistance from Kendall Kazor, Lobenstein and Spencer to set the score at 19-17. McCray and Spencer did it again at 20-19 to force a Gamecock break. South Carolina opened it up before a Spencer and Jasmine Eatmon tandem at the net put the Georgia deficit at 23-22, but kills by South Carolina sealed the 25-23 win and 2-0 lead.
Back and forth early in the third set had it knotted at 7 each after a Gamecock error; however, South Carolina rolled out a 4-0 run to take an 11-7 advantage. Georgia used a McCray kill to cut it to 13-12, but it would be the closest the Bulldogs would get, as South Carolina secured the sweep with a 25-20 win.
Georgia takes on Missouri on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 1:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network+/WatchESPN to wrap up its current homestand. It's the team's annual Dig Pink match, as 200 T-shirts will be handed out with a donation and a silent auction will take place for warm-up jerseys.
HOW TO FOLLOW GEORGIA VOLLEYBALL: For complete information on Georgia volleyball, follow the team on its social media channels via @UGAVolleyball on Twitter and Instagram and UGAVolleyball on Facebook and Snapchat.
