Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Match 1 vs. Marshall: Friday, Oct. 24 @ 6 p.m. ET.
Match 2 vs. Marshall: Saturday, Oct. 25 @ 2 p.m. ET.
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ATLANTA – The Georgia State volleyball team (11-8, SBC 2-6) step back into the GSU Sports Arena for a special weekend, while hosting Marshall (11-10, SBC 3-5) for a two-match series. The Panthers and the Thundering Herd open the weekend on Friday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m. for a black out game. The series wraps up on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m. as we honor our seniors in the final match of the weekend.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State and Marshall first met on August 31, 2018, in Chicago, marking the beginning of an emerging Sun Belt rivalry. In seven total meetings, the Panthers hold a narrow 4-3 advantage in the all-time series. After dropping two straight matches between 2022 and 2023, Georgia State has surged ahead, winning the last three contests, including a weekend sweep in Huntington in 2024.
ACROSS THE NET
Marshall enters the weekend with an 11–10 overall record and a 3–5 mark in Sun Belt Conference play. The Thundering Herd ride a two-match win streak into Atlanta after back-to-back sweeps of ULM at home. The Herd's non-conference slate featured several notable performances against tough opponents, including Power Four matchups versus Michigan and Virginia Tech. Statistically, Marshall ranks among the Sun Belt's top defensive and offensive teams, ranking third in the conference with 1,128 digs and fifth in total kills with 950.
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 17th in the NCAA in an opponent hitting percentage, holding opponents to just .165. Individually, libero Marta Lazzarin has been a standout, ranking fifth nationally and first in the Sun Belt in digs per set (5.18), while placing 21st in the NCAA in total digs (352).
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 now recorded four double-doubles, dishing out a season-best 28 assists while adding 14 digs against Queens (9/5), followed by strong outings versus Old Dominion, 27 assists and 11 digs on Oct. 17, and 26 assists and 12 digs on Oct. 18. 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 (12.31) and digs per set (15.65), fourth in team attacks per set (35.87) and total digs (1,111). Individually, Marta Lazzarin leads the conference with 352 digs and ranks first with 5.18 digs per set.
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.
