ATLANTA – The Georgia State volleyball team set the tone for the first day of the GSU Invitational with back-to-back straight-set victories over Presbyterian (0-1) and West Georgia (0-2) on Friday at GSU Sports Arena. Both non-conference victories improved the Panthers' overall record to 2-0 to start the 2025 season.  

Match 1: Georgia State 3, Presbyterian 0 

Set 1 | The Panthers opened with the first point and maintained control throughout, taking the first set 25-15. Georgia State stretched its lead to 11 at 23-12 before closing out the frame to take an early advantage in the match.  

Set 2 | Georgia State took the second set 25-23 to quickly grab a 2-0 lead. The Panthers earned the set victory powered by a strong showing on the attacking end. Georgia State put together a .306 attack percentage with 17 kills in the set win. After the lead changed hands five times, the Panthers took control for good at 19-18 and rode that advantage to victory. 

Set 3 | Georgia State capped the match with a straight-set victory. The Panthers struck first and maintained control throughout, never trailing in the frame. The offense delivered 16 kills with only two attack errors while adding three aces at the service line. Georgia State built its largest lead at 11 points to seal the set and complete the sweep. 

Game Notes 

• Alessia Cappai registered a match-high three aces. 
• Georgia State maintained the lead throughout the first and third set. 
• Maria Cecilia de Pinho contributed a team-leading 11 kills. 
• Marta Lazzarin was the anchor with a match-high 18 digs. 
• Shanelle Martinez logged a match-high of 19 assists. 

Match 2: Georgia State 3, West Georgia 0 

Set 1 | The Panthers claimed control early at 3-2 and never surrendered the advantage, rolling to a 25-15 victory. Georgia State stretched its margin to as many as 10 points late in the frame and added three aces to bolster the opening-set performance. 

Set 2 | Georgia State extended its match lead with a 25-16 win in the second set. After trading points early, the Panthers seized the lead for good at 11-10 in the only lead change of the frame. The offense capitalized again on the service line, registering three more aces. 

Set 3 | The Panthers completed the sweep with a 25-19 win in the third set. Georgia State secured the decisive edge at 13-12, navigating three lead changes before closing out the match in straight sets. 

Game Notes 

• Shanelle Martinez had a match-high three aces. 
• Nazli Guvener had a team-high eight kills for Georgia State. 
• Georgia State got a team-high 10 digs from Marta Lazzarin. 
• Georgia State logged a team-high 16 assists from Shanelle Martinez. 

Up Next 
The Panthers return to the court Saturday for day two of the GSU Invitational, facing the Furman Paladins at 2 p.m. in the GSU Sports Arena.