Box Score
ATLANTA -- Still playing without its top two setters, the North Carolina A&T volleyball team opened the Great 8 Volleyball Tournament with a 3-0 loss (25-23, 25-16, 13) to host Georgia State Friday evening.

Senior Tiffany Mellette led the way with nine kills, two blocks and a .231 hitting percentage. Senior Janae Mitchell added six kills and 10 digs, while sophomore Bree Dotstry finished with six blocks.

In the absence of starting setter Jordan Gray and backup Amber Inman, redshirt freshman Kaneisha Winfield had 17 assists. Georgia State was led Vineece Verdun’s 11 kills and impressive .529 hitting percentage. As a team, the Panthers posted a .264 hitting percentage.

The Aggies hitting accuracy faded as the match progressed. The Aggies kept pace with the Panthers in the first set thanks to a .192 hitting percentage. Trailing 22-18, the Aggies tied the set with a 4-0 run started by a LaShawn White kill. N.C. A&T tied the game on a Rachel Boryc attack error.

The Panthers would regain the lead at 24-22 before a Mitchell kill pulled the Aggies to within one, but Jocelyn Waldern ended the game on a kill. Over the final two sets, the Aggies (0-5) hitting percentages dropped.

They will play Presbyterian Saturday morning at 9 in their second match of the Great 8 tournament.