ATLANTA – The Georgia State beach volleyball team has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the Sun Belt Conference Beach Volleyball Championship as decided by a vote of the league's eight head coaches and announced on Monday. 

This marks the fourth-consecutive year that the Sandy Panthers have earned the No. 1 spot in the Sun Belt preseason coaches' poll. 

Head coach Beth Van Fleet enters her 14th year with the program and 13th at the helm. Over her tenure, she has amassed 256 career victories while guiding Georgia State to three consecutive Sun Belt Conference Championships and four straight NCAA Championship appearances.

Georgia State returns a strong core from its 2025 squad with 10 returning student-athletes: Kate Phelan, Kealy Dirner, Savannah Barb, Kaebre Sullivan, Ellie Neville, Danica Singleton, Ella Mozeleski, Michaela Jefferson, Kaylie Drysdale and Nolan Nuez.

The Panthers also welcome six newcomers to the 2026 roster: Bella Compean, Kate Cunningham, Taryn Dickey, Adeline Thompson and Bella Troncale.

Adding to the staff, former Georgia State beach volleyball standout Bella Ferary returns to Atlanta sand as an assistant coach for the Sandy Panthers.

The Panthers open the 2026 season at the FSU Unconquered Invitational, hosted by Florida State, where the Panthers will face off against North Alabama, Florida State, UAB, Southeastern Louisiana and California State-Bakersfield.