ATLANTA - The Georgia State volleyball team will take on rival Georgia Southern twice this week with the first matchup taking place at GSU Sports Arena on Thursday and the second coming in Statesboro, Ga., on Saturday.

The Panthers will look to bounce back after dropping consecutive home contests to App State and Coastal Carolina last weekend. Georgia State hoists a 3-11 record overall, including an 0-4 mark in SBC play. 

Georgia State's match at Georgia Southern on Saturday will be aired live on ESPN+. 

PANTHER QUICK HITS
- Georgia State ranks third in the Sun Belt in total blocks with 125.
- Meisheia Griffin is only six block assists away from becoming the all-time block assists career leader at GSU. The star super senior is also fifth on the all-time total blocks list. 
- Erin Wyatt has been effective both offensively and defensively for the Panthers as she ranks second on the team in kills (129), second in digs (141) and third in total blocks (30). 
- Ava Vlkovic has held down the Panther back row this season as she has 200 digs on the year. 
- Claire Lewis currently ranks third in the Sun Belt in service aces with 21.

LAST TIME OUT (App State/Coastal Carolina)
- Georgia State dropped consecutive five-set thrillers last weekend to App State on Friday and Coastal Carolina on Saturday at GSU Sports Arena.  

(App State)
- Against App State, Georgia State fell 2-3 (24-26, 25-21, 23-25, 25-9, 8-15). The Panthers were led by Leah Wilcox who tallied 12 kills. Freshman Evoni Lemons played well in her first collegiate start, notching nine kills and 13 digs. Claire Lewis registered another double-double as the freshman setter tallied 16 assists and 10 digs.

(Coastal Carolina)
- Against Coastal Carolina, the Panthers fell to Coastal Carolina 2-3 (21-25, 25-22, 20-25, 26-24, 8-15). Georgia State benefited from a dominant defensive performance by Isabelle Percoco and Griffin. The front row duo combined for 19 total blocks and staggered the Chanticleer attack. 

THE MATCHUP 
- Georgia State owns a 24-14 mark all-time against Georgia Southern. The two teams squared off four times last season with each team winning two of the contests. 

SCOUTING THE EAGLES 
- Georgia Southern enters the weekend 10-4 overall and 3-1 in Sun Belt play. The Eagles fell at home to Coastal Carolina,1-3, and defeated App State, 3-1, last weekend.
- The Eagles rank second in the Sun Belt in hitting percentage and fourth in blocks. Baylor Bumford ranks second in the Sun Belt in hitting percentage (.345), and Christina Walton ranks fifth (.311).

NEXT UP
After facing Georgia Southern twice in a three day span, the Panthers will travel to the state of Alabama for road contests against South Alabama (Oct. 15) and Troy (Oct. 16) next weekend. 

For news and notes, follow Georgia State volleyball on Instagram and Twitter (@GeorgiaStateVB).