Location: Harrisonburg, Va.
Match 1 vs. JMU: Friday, Oct. 3 @ 6 p.m. ET.
Match 2 vs. JMU: Saturday, Oct. 4 @ 1 p.m. ET.
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ATLANTA – Georgia State volleyball (10-3, SBC 1-1) returns to action in Harrisonburg, Va., for another Sun Belt showdown against the James Madison Dukes (8-6, SBC 1-1). The Panthers and Dukes face off in a pair of matches beginning Friday, Oct. 3, at 6 p.m., before wrapping up the weekend series on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State and James Madison have a history dating back to September 15, 2006. The Panthers have faced the Dukes 19 times, holding a 4-15 overall record. Their most recent matchup came on October 5, 2024, when Georgia State fell 1-3 at home. The Panthers' last victory over James Madison was a 3-2 win on October 4, 2024. This weekend, Georgia State looks to bounce back and close the gap after splitting their last two meetings.
ACROSS THE NET
James Madison enters the weekend with an 8-6 overall record, highlighted by a strong 5-1 mark on its home court. The Dukes opened conference play with a split against Appalachian State, starting 1-1 in the Sun Belt, and have secured three sweeps already this season. Picked to finish second in the East Division in the 2025 Sun Belt Preseason Coaches' Poll, JMU continues to be a consistent force in the league under longtime head coach Lauren Steinbrecher.
That success has been fueled by standout junior outside hitter Kennedy Louisell, who was named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. Louisell has been one of the nation's top players in 2025, leading the country in total kills (273) while ranking fourth in kills per set (5.15). She has posted six 20-plus kill outings this year and is hitting .346, which paces JMU and ranks eighth in the conference.
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 continues 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 fifth in the NCAA in opponent hitting percentage, holding opponents to just .139. Georgia State also ranks 17th in the country in digs per set (16.68). Individually, libero Marta Lazzarin has been a standout, ranking third nationally and first in the Sun Belt in digs per set (5.60), while placing 16th in the NCAA in total digs (263).
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 as the Panthers rank second in the conference with a .769 match win percentage, while leading the league in opponent hitting percentage (.139). The team is also ranked second in assists per set (12.49), second in digs per set (16.68), and third in total digs (784). Individually, Marta Lazzarin leads the Sun Belt with 263 digs and ranks second with 5.60 digs per set. Myllena Torquetti sits sixth in blocks per set (1.09), while Shanelle Martinez ranks seventh in service aces (19) and eighth in aces per set (.40).
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.
