Georgia Southern defeated ETSU in a matchup of two of the best volleyball teams in the Southern Conference on Saturday in Brooks Gym.
The loss snapped the Bucs’ 10-match winning streak and their seven-match, home-winning streak.
The first game was an exciting back-and-forth game, with the teams trading points throughout.
The Bucs held a 12-9 advantage midway through game one, but the Eagles fought back to tie the game at 15 and eventually take the lead 19-18, cruising from there to a 30-25 game one win.
Georgia Southern jumped out to a 9-3 advantage to begin game two, but the Bucs began to chip away at the Eagle lead.
The Eagles held the lead throughout the game, but the Bucs would cut the lead to as few as three at 24-21. Georgia Southern took six of the last 10 points to win game two, 30-25.
In game three, Georgia Southern jumped out to an early 6-2 lead, but ETSU came right back and tied the game at seven.
The Bucs took a small lead, but the Eagles then tied the game at 13. ETSU then led 28-24 before Georgia Southern won four straight points to tie the game.
Georgia Southern won game three 33-31.
The Bucs were led by freshman outside hitter Karen Freeburg, who led the team with 12 kills against just two errors. Senior setter Carey Cavanaugh tallied 31 assists and added six kills and no attack errors.
Sophomore outside hitter Katie Steidle contributed a team-high 11 digs.
The Eagles were led by outside hitter Martina Veiglova, who had a match-high 17 kills and also added six digs. Georgia Southern had two setters with 20-or more assists, Amanda Brooks (24) and Kim Foytich (20). Outside hitter Megan Lippi added a match-high 15 digs and eight kills.
The Bucs next face Western Carolina on Monday night at 7 p.m. in Brooks Gym.

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