ATLANTA - Georgia State will host its final two regular-season matches of the 2021 campaign this weekend when it welcomes Sun Belt foes South Alabama and Troy to GSU Sports Arena Friday and Saturday.

The Panthers will look to make a statement against two formidable opponents heading into the Sun Belt Conference Championship next week in Foley, Ala. South Alabama currently sits atop the conference standings and has clinched the Sun Belt east regular-season title, while Troy is currently tied for third in the Sun Belt east. 

Georgia State currently hoists a 7-17, 4-10 Sun Belt mark on the season; however, the Panthers are 4-3 over their last seven contests.

Georgia State's match against Troy on Saturday will be senior night for the Panthers. Seniors Truth Hafey, Leah Wilcox and Meisheia Griffin will be recognized before and after the contest. 


PANTHER QUICK HITS

• 10 of the Panthers 24 matches this season have gone five sets.   
• Georgia State ranks second in the Sun Belt in total blocks with 209.5.
• Meisheia Griffin currently leads the Sun Belt in total blocks with 120, while ranking fourth in hitting percentage (.305)
• Ava Vlkovic ranks eighth in the Sun belt in digs with 321 on the year.

LAST TIME OUT (App State/Coastal Carolina)

Georgia State went 1-1 last weekend, as the Panthers defeated App State in five sets Friday before falling to Coastal Carolina on Sunday.  

(App State) 

• Georgia State defeated App State, 3-2 on Friday while displaying a balanced offensive attack.
• Evoni Lemons, Clara Bednarek, Leah Wilcox and Laura Ehieze combined for 47 kills to lead the Panthers to their fourth win in their last six matches.
• Griffin and Julianna Truscott also contributed significantly as they both added eight kills.  
• Defensively, the Panthers were led by Lemons, Claire Lewis and Olivia Kowalkowski as the freshman trio combined for 38 digs. 

(Coastal Carolina)

• Georgia State fell to Coastal Carolina in three sets on Sunday
• For the match, Georgia State was led by Griffin who tallied seven kills and Lewis who added 17 assists from the setter position.
• The Panthers fought to stay in the match, but Coastal Carolina's offense was too much to handle as the Chanticleers tallied 48 kills while hitting .323 as a team.

THE MATCHUPS 

• Georgia State will face South Alabama for the 22nd time in program history Friday. The Panthers own an 8-13 mark all-time against the Jaguars. The two teams squared off three times last season with the Panthers winning each of the contests. South Alabama defeated Georgia State, 3-2, earlier this season. 
• The Panthers will also face Troy this weekend, marking the 38th time that the teams have faced off. Georgia State owns a 18-19 record against the Trojans. The Panthers snapped an eight game losing streak when they defeated Troy for their first Sun Belt victory of the season back on Oct. 16.

SCOUTING THE JAGUARS

• South Alabama currently sits atop the Sun Belt with a 20-6 record, including a 13-1 mark in Sun Belt play. 
• Offensively, the Jaguars are led by Carissa Bradford and Maddie Soboleski as they have a combined 572 kills this season.

SCOUTING THE TROJANS

• Troy owns a 15-10 record, including a 8-6 mark in Sun Belt play. The Trojans fell to South Alabama, 0-3 last weekend.
• In Troy's match against Louisiana, Amara Anderson became the Trojan's all-time leader in assists during the rally-scoring era. Offensively, the Trojans are led by Julia Brooks who has a .296 hitting percentage.

NEXT UP
After hosting South Alabama (Nov. 12) and Troy (Nov. 13), the Panthers will set their sights on the Sun Belt Championship which will be held in Foley, Ala., Nov. 17-21.

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