Location: Atlanta, Ga.
Match 1 vs. Georgia Southern: Friday, Nov. 7 @ 6 p.m. ET.
Match 2 vs. Georgia Southern: Saturday, Nov. 8 @ 2 p.m. ET.
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ATLANTA – The Georgia State volleyball team (14-9, SBC 5-7) returns home this weekend to face in-state rival Georgia Southern (18-5, SBC 9-3) in a two-match showdown. The Panthers look to gain ground in the series starting Friday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m., before wrapping up the weekend on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. inside the GSU Sports Arena.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State and Georgia Southern first met on September 17, 2011, in Statesboro, Georgia, with the Panthers falling 3–1 in the series opener. In 26 all-time meetings, Georgia Southern holds a 17–9 advantage over Georgia State. The Panthers' longest winning streak came between November 12, 2019, and October 1, 2020, when they claimed three consecutive victories, while the Eagles' longest run extended from October 7, 2021, to November 9, 2024, spanning eight matches. Georgia State's most recent win came on October 1, 2020, with a 3–0 triumph at home, but Georgia Southern has claimed the series since, including back-to-back 3–0 wins in the 2024 matchups in Statesboro.
ACROSS THE NET
Georgia Southern enters the weekend with an 18-5 overall record and a 9-3 mark in Sun Belt play. The Eagles have been strong both at home (10-2) and on the road (5-3), including a perfect 3-0 record at neutral sites. Georgia Southern opened the 2025 season with an exhibition win over South Carolina and has faced tough tests against Power Four opponents, including a narrow 2-3 loss at Georgia and a 0-3 setback against Florida State.
Last week, senior setter Kirsten Barrett and junior outside hitter Reagan Barth were named the Sun Belt Conference's Setter and Offensive Player of the Week, respectively. The pair of honors brings the Eagles' total Sun Belt weekly accolades to 10, with Barth becoming the fifth different Georgia Southern student-athlete to earn a weekly honor, joining Barrett, Maddie Cugino, Alex Myers, and Lydia Seymour.
Georgia Southern is riding a two-match winning streak after their weekend sweep over the Chanticleers.
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 25th in the NCAA in an opponent hitting percentage, holding opponents to just .169. Individually, libero Marta Lazzarin has been a standout, ranking 12th nationally and first in the Sun Belt in digs per set (5.06), while placing 32th in the NCAA in total digs (425).
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. Setter Shanelle Martinez leads the way with four double-doubles, dishing out a season-best 28 assists. Nazli Guvener has recorded 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. 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 (.169). The Panthers also rank third in assists per set (12.28) and digs per set (15.52), fourth in team attacks per set (35.80), and second in total digs (1,350). Individually, Marta Lazzarin leads the conference with 425 digs and ranks first with 5.06 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.
