By Molly Johnson, Sports Information Assistant

MISENHEIMER, N.C. – The Georgia College volleyball team (1-1) took to the road Friday for the Falcon Classic hosted by Pfeiffer University. On opening day of the season the Bobcats split their matches, beating Shepherd University (0-1) 3-1 and falling to Slippery Rock University (2-0) in a five-set battle.

"This was a good first day for the Bobcats," said head coach Gretchen Krumdieck. "We were tested and responded well. Shepherd is a good team and we got on a roll early to control the match. Slippery Rock is a very tough, well-disciplined team that does not back down. It was a good match for us to build on."                                

The Bobcat freshmen did not shy away from the college stage in Friday's season openers. Against Shepherd, Maggie Roper (Buford, Georgia) led the squad with a staggering 16 kills and 15 digs. Classmate Mollie Michel (Peachtree City, Georgia) finished out the match against Shepherd with an impressive 40 assists, averaging 10 per set. Sophomore Miller Howard (Suwanee, Georgia) brought even more power to the front row with nine kills against the Rams. The team took the match 27-25, 25-19, 20-25 and 25-19.

In match two, the Bobcats took an early lead, winning the first two sets 26-24. The Bobcats fell to Slippery Rock in the next three sets 19-25, 19-25, and 13-15. Howard improved immensely from the first match and had the most kills with 20. Her kill total for the match marks the third-highest in the young program's history.

Roper was not far behind, making good on 12 attacks. Once again running the offense well, Michel ended match two with another 40 assists. Junior Ella Anastasiades (Atlanta) put forth a strong defensive stand in the back row with 23 digs in the nightcap.

The Bobcats will face off against the host team Pfeiffer University Saturday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. to close out tournament action.

The Georgia College Department of Athletics, two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup, sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' multiple appearances in post-season competition as well as documented academic success and community-service involvement. Sign up at @GCBobcats on Twitter and Facebook for up-to-the-minute reports, and visit GCBobcats.PhotoReflect.com to purchase photo prints from home athletic contests.