ATLANTA - Georgia State will embark on it's final road trip of the 2021 regular season when it travels to the Carolina's for critical road contests against Appalachian State (Nov. 5) and Coastal Carolina (Nov. 7) this weekend.
Georgia State currently hoists a 6-16, 3-9 Sun Belt mark on the season; however, the Panthers have won three of their last five matches down the stretch.
PANTHER QUICK HITS
- The Panthers are 3-2 over their last five matches.
- 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 117, while ranking fourth in hitting percentage (.312)
- Ava Vlkovic ranks eighth in the Sun belt in digs with 314 on the year.
LAST TIME OUT (UT Arlington/Texas State)
Georgia State went 1-1 last weekend, as the Panthers defeated UT Arlington in five sets Friday before falling to Texas State on Saturday.
(UT Arlington)
- In the contest against UT Arlington, Griffin and Evoni Lemons led the Panthers with stellar performances offensively and defensively. Lemons tallied 16 kills and 11 digs, while Griffin notched 11 kills and eight blocks.
- Julianna Truscott also had a strong performance as she added eight kills and seven blocks.
- The Panthers displayed a balanced attack as Lemons, Griffin, Truscott, Clara Bednarek, Leah Wilcox and Laura Ehieze all registered eight or more kills.
- Georgia State earned a tight victory in set one, before dropping the following two sets. The Panthers then earned crucial victories in sets four and five to take the match.
(Texas State)
- Georgia State fell to Texas State in three sets on Saturday.
- The Panthers were led by Griffin, who notched eight kills while hitting .438.
- Wilcox and Truscott also had strong performances as they combined for 15 kills.
- Defensively, the Panthers were led by Olivia Kowalkowski and Claire Lewis as they combined for 26 digs. Lewis also added 14 assists.
THE MATCHUPS
- Georgia State will face App State for the second time this season and the 22nd time in program history. The Panthers fell to the Mountaineers earlier this season, 2-3, at GSU Sports Arena.
- The Panthers will also face Coastal Carolina this weekend for the second time this season and 21st time in program history. The Chanticleers defeated Georgia State, 3-2, at GSU Sports Arena earlier this season as well.
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAINEERS
- App State enters the weekend 7-17 and 3-9 in the Sun Belt. The Mountaineers have dropped four consecutive matches to UT Arlington, Texas State, South Alabama and Troy.
- Offensively, App State is led by Denny McCall who has 236 kills on the season. Defensively, the Mountaineers are led by Emma Reilly who ranks fifth in the Sun Belt with 403 digs.
SCOUTING THE CHANTICLEERS
- Coastal Carolina owns a 15-7 record, including a 9-3 mark in Sun Belt play. The Chanticleers dropped consecutive matches to Troy and South Alabama last weekend.
- Prior to the two losses last weekend, Coastal Carolina had won nine of their last 10 matches.
- The Chanticleers are led offensively by Ana Bozdeva and Doris Carter as they both have over 200 kills on the season.
NEXT UP
After traveling to face App State (Nov. 5) and Coastal Carolina (Nov. 7) this weekend, Georgia State will return home to host South Alabama (Nov. 12) and Troy (Nov. 13) to conclude the 2021 regular season.
For news and notes, follow Georgia State volleyball on Instagram and Twitter (@GeorgiaStateVB).