TAMPA, Fla.- The No. 12 Georgia State beach volleyball team will open the spring 2024 season in the Sunshine State at the Tampa Invitational. The team is coming off a stellar 2023 campaign that saw the Panthers finish 20-17, win the inaugural Sun Belt Conference Championship, and advance to a second-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The Sandy Panthers enter the season as the unanimous preseason favorite to defend their Sun Belt title. 

GSU will kick off the weekend of tournament play on Friday, Feb. 23 against No. 11 FAU at 9:00 a.m. ET followed by a meeting with No. 18 Arizona State at 1 p.m. ET. The Panthers will have a quick turnaround on Saturday, Feb. 24 with matches against host Tampa at 10:00 a.m. ET and No. 17 South Carolina at 2:00 p.m. ET. 

The Sandy Panthers last faced FAU during the 2022 Conference USA Championships, which resulted in a 3-2 victory for Georgia State. GSU will look to continue its success against Arizona State and Tampa, as the Sandy Panthers enter the weekend with perfect records against both squads. Georgia State will close the tournament against long-time foe South Carolina. GSU holds a slight advantage in all-time meetings against the Gamecocks, 11-7. 

GSU enters the 2024 season with an experienced core of veterans including one fifth-year, three seniors, and five juniors. Georgia State's lineup features seniors Angel Ferary and Bella Ferary, who were named Second Team AVCA All-Americans last spring. The Sandy Panthers are led by head coach Beth Van Fleet and assisted by GSU beach alums, Maddy Delmonte and Chloee Kleespies. 

Follow Georgia State beach volleyball on Instagram and Twitter (@GSUBeachVb) for complete coverage of the Sandy Panthers' 2024 campaign.