Location: Atlanta, Ga. & Kennesaw, Ga.
Match 4: Kennesaw State (GSU Sports Arena) @ 6 p.m.
Match 5: Alabama A&M (Kennesaw, Ga.) @ 2 p.m.
Match 6: West Georgia (GSU Sports Arena) @ 2 p.m.
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ATLANTA – Georgia State volleyball opens its home slate as the Panthers co-host the GSU Invitational with Kennesaw State. Georgia State opens the weekend with against Kennesaw State at the GSU Sports Arena, continues the weekend against Alabama A&M in Kennesaw, Ga. and closes out the invitational with West Georgia back at the GSU Sports Arena.
SERIES HISTORY
Georgia State holds a 6-3 series record with Kennesaw State. The two programs first met on August 27, 2006, with the Panthers winning 3-0 at home. Georgia State's most recent meeting against the Owls happened on September 4, 2017, when the Panthers fell 0-3 on the road in Kennesaw, Ga.
Georgia State holds a 2-0 series record with Alabama A&M. The two programs first met on September 17, 1993, with the Panthers winning 3-0 at home. Georgia State's most recent meeting against the Bulldogs happened on August 27, 2011, when the Panthers won 3-0 in Memphis.
Georgia State holds a 7-12 series record with West Georgia. The two programs first met in 1977, with the Panthers winning 2-0. Georgia State's most recent meeting against the Wolves happened on September 24, 2025, when the Panthers won 3-0 at home.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Kennesaw State enters 2026 under 14th-year head coach Keith Schunzel, coming off a top-three finish and a trip to the CUSA semifinals last season. The Owls were picked in a tie for third place, alongside New Mexico State, in the 2026 Conference USA preseason poll. Kennesaw State's top returner is fifth-year middle blocker Olivia Burrage, who has earned a spot on the Preseason All-Conference USA team for the second straight year. Kennesaw State arrives in Atlanta undefeated with a 3-0 record on the season, having swept the Seahawk Classic.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Alabama A&M enters 2026 under third-year head coach Dr. Brandon Reeves. The Bulldogs were picked to finish fourth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference preseason poll for 2026. Alabama A&M's four First Team All-SWAC selections were the most of any program on the preseason first team, headlined by senior outside hitter Rayishon Jackman, who was named the 2026 SWAC Preseason Player of the Year. Jackman made an immediate impact for the Bulldogs a season ago, earning SWAC Newcomer of the Week honors five times and a SWAC Offensive Player of the Week selection. Kelani Talakai, who also tabbed to the preseason first team, was named SWAC Preseason Libero of the Year. Alabama A&M arrives in Atlanta undefeated with a 3-0 record on the season after opening the year with a sweep over the Betty Austin Invitational.
SCOUTING THE WOLVES
West Georgia enters 2026 under first-year head coach Adam Milewski, who became the 11th head volleyball coach in program history in February 2026. The Wolves opened the season by hosting the UWG Tournament at The Coliseum, marking the first time West Georgia has opened the season at home since 2020. West Georgia enters the weekend with a 1-2 record on the season, riding a two-match losing streak.
MARTINEZ AT THE HELM
Jorge Martinez joined the Georgia State staff as the head coach of the court volleyball program in February 2026. Martinez comes to GSU after six seasons at Arkansas Little Rock, where he served four years as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach in his final two seasons with the Trojans.
NEW TO THE A
Georgia State welcomes 14 newcomers to the roster for 2026, including eight freshmen and six transfers. Freshmen Milana Holland, Sydney Crowder, Madilyn Lenox, Sigrun Jonsdottir, Jayden Fitzgerald, Annelore Engels, Sophia Johnson and Julie Arias bring youth and potential, while transfers Reagan Elizondo (South Carolina), Dariana Valencia (Little Rock), Leilani-Kai Giusta (Quinnipiac), Charley Goberville (Cornell), Mina Olgar (UC San Diego) and Isabel Morales (Little Rock) add collegiate experience and depth to the Panthers' lineup.
FRESHMEN FRENZY
Georgia State features one of the largest freshman classes in the Sun Belt for the 2026 season, tying ULM with eight freshman. Milana Holland, Sydney Crowder, Madilyn Lenox, Sigrun Jonsdottir, Jayden Fitzgerald, Annelore Engels, Sophia Johnson and Julie Arias make up the Panther's freshman class.
SO INTERNATIONAL
Georgia State's volleyball roster boasts with international flair. Nearly half of the 2026 squad hails from overseas, with five of the 17 players bringing valuable international experience to the court.
