Location: Norfolk, Va.
Match 1 vs. Old Dominion: Friday, Oct. 17 @ 6 p.m. ET.
Match 2 vs. Old Dominion: Saturday, Oct. 18 @ 2 p.m. ET.
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ATLANTA – The Georgia State volleyball team (10-7, SBC 1-5) heads North to Norfolk, Virginia to face Old Dominion (3-14, SBC 0-6) on the court for another Sun Belt matchup. The Panthers and Monarchs will open the two-match series on Friday, Oct. 17, at 6 p.m., before wrapping up the weekend on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State and Old Dominion first met on November 4, 2022, marking the start of a competitive Sun Belt rivalry. In six total meetings, the Panthers trail the all-time series 2–4. After dropping the first four contests, Georgia State turned the tide in 2024, sweeping the weekend series in Atlanta with back-to-back five-set victories. Riding a two-match win streak, Georgia State looks to carry that momentum forward as the series continues to heat up.
ACROSS THE NET
Old Dominion enters the weekend with a 3-14 overall record, seeking its first win in Sun Belt Conference play. The Monarchs are currently 0-6 in league action and look to snap a six-match losing streak. Despite their record, Old Dominion has shown flashes of competitiveness, pushing several opponents to four and five sets throughout non-conference and early league play.
The Monarchs' non-conference schedule featured a challenging slate with matchups against Power Four programs including Maryland, Wake Forest, West Virginia and NC State. Notably, Old Dominion earned hard-fought five-set victories over UMBC and NC State, along with a straight-set sweep of Delaware during its home invitational.
SHE'S JUST A FRESHMAN
The week of September 14, libero Marta Lazzarin was recognized among the Sun Belt's top three players appearing in the NCAA statistical rankings. Lazzarin has been a steady force on the back row, ranking third in the NCAA and first in the Sun Belt with 5.68 digs per set. She also sits second in the conference and 30th nationally in total digs with 159. Lazzarin's strong play also earned her national attention, as she was highlighted by Avid Volley as one of NCAA DI Week Three's "Top of the Week" players. After Week Four, Lazzarin continued her climb up the NCAA ranks, ranking second in digs per set with 5.74 and 15th in total digs with 224.
TOP 25
Georgia State has earned recognition among the nation's best with standout performances both individually and as a team. The Panthers sit in 14th in the NCAA in an opponent hitting percentage, holding opponents to just .165. Individually, libero Marta Lazzarin has been a standout, ranking fourth nationally and first in the Sun Belt in digs per set (5.35), while placing 19th in the NCAA in total digs (332).
SO INTERNATIONAL
Georgia State's volleyball roster boasts with international flair. Nearly half of the 2025 squad hails from overseas, with eight of the 17 players bringing valuable international experience to the court.
THE SIQUEIRA ERA
Entering her second season at the helm, Head Coach Flavia Siqueira has quickly elevated the Georgia State volleyball program to new heights. During Siqueira's first campaign in 2024, the Panthers capped the season with 17 wins, the most in over a decade, and advanced to the second round of the Sun Belt Tournament for the first time since 2021. With Flavia at the forefront, the Panthers enter 2025 on the rise.
SEEING DOUBLE
Georgia State's 2025 season has seen standout two-way performances, with four Panthers recording multiple double-doubles to anchor the team's early success. Nazli Guvener leads the way with three double-doubles, highlighted by a season-high 18 kills and 12 digs against Furman (8/30). Myllena Torquetti has tallied two double-doubles, including 10 kills and 10 digs in the same matchup. Setter Shanelle Martinez has recorded two double-doubles, dishing out a season-best 28 assists while adding 14 digs, including her performance against Queens (9/5). Alessia Cappai has also made her mark, notching 11 kills and 10 digs against Sam Houston (9/19).
SUN BELT DOMINANCE
Georgia State continues to make a statement in the Sun Belt, ranking third in opponent hitting percentage (.165). The team is also ranked third in assists per set (12.42) and digs per set (15.87), fourth in team attacks per set (35.95). Individually, Marta Lazzarin leads the conference with 332 digs and ranks first with 5.35 digs per set, while Myllena Torquetti sits 13th in blocks per set (0.96).
SMASHING START
Georgia State is off to its best start to a season since 2003, winning seven of its first eight matches. The Panthers have gone undefeated in two of their first three tournaments, dropping just one match along the way.
