Location: Huntsville, Texas
Match 1 vs. Sam Houston: Friday, Sept. 19 @ 7 p.m. ET.
Match 2 vs. Houston Christian: Saturday, Sept. 20 @ 1 p.m. ET.
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ATLANTA - Georgia State volleyball (7-2, SBC 0-0) travels to Huntsville, Texas this weekend for its final two non-conference matchups before opening Sun Belt Conference play. The Panthers will face off against Sam Houston on Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:00 p.m. and Houston Christian on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 1:00 p.m. in the Bearkat Classic.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State has met Sam Houston only once before, when the Bearkats came away with a 3-0 win over the Panthers in 2018.
The Georgia State Panthers and the Houston Christian Huskies will face off for the first time ever in program history this weekend.
ACROSS THE NET
Sam Houston hosts the Bearkat Classic this weekend with a record of 6-4, half of which have reached a full five sets. The Bearkat's only sweep of the season came from a win over McNeese on August 29th while the remaining nine games have lasted four or five sets, displaying the grit and perseverance of the Sam Houston Bearkats. Freshman Chloe Monson was named to the Islanders Classic all-tournament team last weekend and she leads the team in kills this season. Senior Avery Fowler earned an all-tournament team award as well at the season-opening Bearkat Invitational as she tallies the team's most assists and aces this season.
Houston Christian enters the tournament with a current record of 5-5. The Huskies began the season with a five-game losing streak but quickly flipped the narrative with a five-game win streak leading them into the Bearkat Classic this weekend. Houston Christians has faced two Sun Belt teams this season including a loss to the Southern Miss Golden Eagles and a sweep over the ULM Warhawks. Junior Allana Archie leads the Huskies in both kills and blocks this season while sophomore Peyton Fadal leads the team in assists.
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.
TOP 25
Through the first few weeks of the season, Georgia State has earned recognition among the nation's best with standout performances both individually and as a team. The Panthers sit seventh in the NCAA in opponent hitting percentage, holding opponents to just .126. Georgia State also ranks 11th in the country in digs per set (16.96) and 23rd in team attacks per set (36.96). At the service line, setter Shanelle Martinez has provided a spark, landing 18th nationally and second in the league in aces per set (0.61) while tallying 17 total aces this fall.
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 already seen standout two-way performances, with three 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).
SUN BELT DOMINANCE
Georgia State continues to make statements in the Sun Belt as the Panthers rise to first in both limiting opponent hitting percentage (.144) and limiting opponent kills (10.78). The Panthers are also ranked second in team assists per set (12.66) and team points per set (17.51), and third in team kills per set (13.69) and digs per set (16.75). Individually, Marta Lazzarin has jumped from second to first in the Sun Belt for digs (178) and digs per set (5.56). Also ranked in the conference is Shanelle Martinez in third for service aces (17) and Rayne Williams in seventh for blocks per set (1.11).
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.
