ATHENS, GA. – South Carolina (7-6, 1-2 SEC) lost in five sets at Georgia (10-3, 1-1 SEC) Wednesday night, rallying to win the fourth to force its second fifth-set match in as many games. It was also the fifth match to go the distance in the last eight meetings between the Gamecocks and Bulldogs. The two defenses combined for 42 total blocks, including a program-record 24 from the Bulldogs. Oby Anadi and Ellie Ruprich each had nine blocks for South Carolina, Riley Whitesides led the offense with 15 kills.
1st SET: For two teams that know each other so well, the opening frame was a grind for the offenses. South Carolina had just 11 kills but got a boost behind the service line and from its blockers in a 25-23 win. Oby Anadi led the defense with three blocks, also adding a pair of kills, with her final block clinching the set after the Bulldogs rallied late. The Gamecocks broke out of an 11-all tie with a 10-5 run, but Georgia answered with four unanswered points and finally tied the set back up at 23. Coming out of a Gamecock timeout, the visitors were able to side out with a Georgia service error and Anadi ended it with the block.
2nd SET: The script flipped in the second as Georgia evened the match at one set apiece. There were seven ties before either team made it to 12 points. It was the Bulldogs that went on a run first though, breaking an 11-11 tie with eight of the next 11 points to take a comfortable lead and hold off Carolina in a 25-20 score. Both offenses were stymied again, but Georgia’s defense had the advantage in blocks and held the Gamecocks to almost as many attack errors (8) as kills (9).
3rd SET: Early errors hurt the Gamecocks to start the third, Georgia scored three of its first seven points of the game off blocks and went on a 8-0 run to build a 9-2 lead. The Bulldog defense again frustrated the Carolina hitters, limiting the attackers to just nine kills again, but the Gamecocks were able to rally late thanks to its net defense. Down 23-15, South Carolina used three big blocks in an 8-1 run to get back to within one, but could close out a long rally in the end with the chance to tie and Georgia won 25-23 for a 2-1 set lead.
4th SET: Georgia again set the tone with blocking early in the fourth. The Bulldogs scored three of their first six points on blocks and forced a quick South Carolina timeout with a 6-1 lead. The Gamecocks were able to work the score back to 13-13 but three errors in a row gave Georgia the lead right…