Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Match 1 vs. Coastal Carolina: Thursday, Oct. 9 @ 6 p.m. ET.
Match 2 vs. Coastal Carolina: Friday, Oct. 10 @ 6 p.m. ET.
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ATLANTA – The Georgia State volleyball team (10-5, SBC 1-3) returns to Atlanta for its third Sun Belt Conference series, hosting Coastal Carolina (11-4, SBC 4-0) at the GSU Sports Arena. The Panthers and Chanticleers will open the two-match series on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 6 p.m. for Georgia State's annual Pink Out match in support of breast cancer awareness, before wrapping up the weekend on Friday, Oct. 10, at 6 p.m.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State and Coastal Carolina first faced off on September 12, 2008, beginning a long-standing Sun Belt series. In 20 meetings, the Panthers have yet to record a victory, with Coastal Carolina holding a 20-0 advantage. Their most recent matchup came on October 12, 2024, when Georgia State pushed the contest to five sets before falling on the road. This weekend, the Panthers return home with a chance to make history and earn their first-ever win over the Chanticleers.
ACROSS THE NET
Coastal Carolina enters the weekend with an 11-4 overall record, highlighted by an undefeated start in Sun Belt play. The Chanticleers have claimed straight-set victories in three of their four conference matches, asserting themselves as one of the league's top teams. Coastal Carolina's non-conference slate has featured five Power Four matchups, including a 3-2 win over Maryland, a 3-1 victory against NC State, and a hard-fought five-set battle with South Carolina, with additional contests against UNC and Miami further testing the squad.
Coastal Carolina has been fueled by standout performers receiving national and conference recognition. Coastal Carolina entered the season ranked third in the East Division in the 2025 Sun Belt Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. Junior outside hitter Stout was named to the AVCA inaugural watch list for the Division I Player of the Year Award, while also earning Sun Belt Conference as Preseason Player of the Year. Junior middle blocker Anna Rita has twice earned Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week honors in the last three weeks, helping anchor the team's defense in key conference victories.
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 opponent hitting percentage, holding opponents to just .155. Individually, libero Marta Lazzarin has been a standout, ranking fifth nationally and first in the Sun Belt in digs per set (5.41), while placing 15th in the NCAA in total digs (303).
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 second in opponent hitting percentage (.155). The team is also ranked third in kills per set (13.46) and digs per set (16.68), fourth in total digs (784) and assists per set (12.49). Individually, Marta Lazzarin leads the conference with 303 digs and ranks first with 5.41 digs per set, while Myllena Torquetti sits eighth in blocks per set (1.05).
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.
