ATLANTA - The Georgia State volleyball team will begin its quest for conference supremacy Thursday at 3:30 p.m., when the Panthers open Sun Belt Championship play facing Arkansas State.
Georgia State currently hoists a 7-19 record, including a 4-12 mark in Sun Belt play on the season; however, seven of the Panthers 12 conference losses came in five-set thrillers.
The winner of Thursday's match between the Panthers and Red Wolves will advance to the quarterfinals on Friday (Nov. 19) to face regular-season conference champion South Alabama.
Georgia State defeated Arkansas State, 3-1, on Oct. 22 in the lone matchup between the two teams this season.
SEASON RECAP
- 11 of Georgia State's 26 matches went to five sets this season as the Panthers accumulated a 3-8 record over those contests.
- At one point this season, Georgia State dropped eight consecutive matches; however, the Panthers responded with a 4-2 record over the ensuing six matches.
- During Georgia State's eight match losing streak, the Panthers dropped five consecutive five-set matches.
- Meisheia Griffin became the Georgia State career all-time block assists leader this season.
- Notable victories for the Panthers include the Oct. 22 win over Arkansas State and the Oct. 29 win over UT Arlington.
PANTHER HIGHLIGHTS
- Georgia State ended the regular-season ranked second in the Sun Belt in total blocks with 251.5.
- Griffin currently leads the Sun Belt and ranks fifth in the nation in total blocks with 136.
- Griffin also ranks fifth in the Sun Belt with a .301 hitting percentage.
- Senior Leah Wilcox has eclipsed the 200-kill mark for the third consecutive season. This year, she's logged 214 kills and 161 digs.
- Claire Lewis has had a major impact this season for the Panthers as she leads the team with 534 assists. She also ranks second on the team in digs with 205. Ava Vlkovic leads the Panthers and ranks eighth in the Sun Belt in digs with 348 on the year.
- Despite missing several matches due to injury, Erin Wyatt has contributed significantly as she has accumulated 161 kills, 192 digs, 42 blocks and 10 service aces for the Panthers.
- Laura Ehieze has played well in her first season with the Panthers as she has 138 kills on the year. The Louisiana Tech transfer has also registered 82 blocks this season.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
- Georgia State accumulated a 4-12 mark in Sun Belt play this season; however, seven of their 12 losses came in five-set thrillers.
- In conference play, freshman Evoni Lemons played a significant role as she tallied 108 kills and 97 digs over the 16 matches.
All Sun Belt Championship matches will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.
For news and notes, follow Georgia State volleyball on Instagram and Twitter (@GeorgiaStateVB).
