ATLANTA- The Georgia State volleyball team has clinched a spot in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament for the first time since 2005 after earning a weekend split against William & Mary and VCU in its final road matches of the regular season.
"I am very excited for and proud of our players," said head coach Tami Audia, in her second season at GSU. "They have worked very hard and deserve to be one of the teams playing for the CAA championship. We have some work ahead of us but everyone is ready and up for the challenge."
The Panthers (13-16, 7-5 CAA) secured the postseason berth by picking up their seventh conference win in five thrilling sets Friday at William & Mary. GSU was led by 30 combined kills from seniors Vineece Verdun and Muki Kangwa in the win, while five different players racked up double-digit digs.
This year's CAA tournament will be held at the site of the league's top seed, which is still to be determined with one week remaining in the regular season.
GSU, currently in fifth place in the conference standings, has two matches remaining to improve their seeding, both coming at home. The Panthers will battle CAA co-leader Northeastern (19-5, 9-3) on Friday at 7 p.m. before facing Hofstra (13-16, 4-8) on Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Panthers will be facing each team for the second time this year, having defeated the Pride Oct. 7 but falling to the Huskies Oct. 9.
Sunday's match against Hofstra will be Senior Day for Panthers Nevena Peeva, Vineece Verdun, Mirjam Pfyl, Muki Kangwa and Chelsea Perry.
Georgia State's only previous trip to the CAA tournament came in 2005 under coach Mike Webster in the school's first season in the league.
GSU looks to finish with a winning conference record for the second consecutive year under Audia and will be attempting it where the Panthers have had great success. GSU is 15-6 in home matches (10-2 in league play) at the Sports Arena over the last two seasons.
