WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Freshman Maddie Bryant tallied 26 kills, 17 digs and five blocks in two matches, but the Georgia Southern volleyball team suffered two losses at the Wake Forest Invitational Saturday in Reynolds Gym.

The Eagles (1-9) fell 3-2 to the host Demon Deacons in the morning, their fourth five-set loss of the season, and suffered a 3-1 setback to Elon in the evening.

Joscelin Morrow averaged 15 digs a match to earn all-tournament honors.

Key moments vs. Wake
After Brooke Birch tied the score 5-5 with an ace in the fifth set, Wake scored seven of the next nine points to open a 12-7 cushion. Caitlyn Della posted two kills and was in on a block in the decisive run.

With the score tied 18-18 in the fourth, GS scored six straight points, with two coming on kills by Carly Turner, to open a 24-18 cushion on its way to the 25-19 win, sending the match to a fifth set.

Eagle of the Match vs. Wake
Lauren Reichard tallied 12 kills and seven blocks and served up four aces.

Key moments vs. Elon
The Eagles fought off four set points in the third, but the Phoenix put the set away 27-25 with the help of a kill by Kellyn Trowse. 

Elon jumped out to a 5-1 lead to open the fourth set and pushed a 20-16 lead to eight with four straight points behind the serve of Maddie Jaudon.

Eagle of the Match vs. Elon
Bryant collected 15 kills, seven digs and three blocks for the Eagles.

Quotables from coach Dustin Wood
"It was a tough day for us. We had a heck of a match against Wake. It was a high level by both teams. I'm proud of how we came back from down 0-2 and dominated the third and fourth set. The kids did everything well. The fifth was back and forth, but we got a little timid. Wake was more aggressive in their play than us in the fifth, and that was the difference in the match. I'm happy with our play, but we had opportunities in the first and second to take the sets that we didn't capitalize on."  

"The competition this weekend was good for us. I believe we are almost where we want to be. We have a lot of young players out there who are gaining valuable experience before conference play. We have been on the road three straight weekends and are ready to get home in Hanner for two straight weeks. We know what we have to work on, and our staff and players will get the job done."

Next Up
Georgia Southern plays its first matches of the year in Hanner Fieldhouse when the Eagles host Savannah State and USC Upstate in the GATA Challenge Sept. 14-15. GS takes on Savannah State Friday at noon and USC Upstate at 7 p.m. The Eagles host Savannah State again Saturday at 5 p.m.