What you need to know:
* Georgia State will come back home to the GSU Sports Arena this weekend after opening up Sun Belt Conference play last weekend in Louisiana.
* The Panthers are looking to end a three-match losing streak and improve from an 0-2 start in the conference. The team will host Troy at 6:00 p.m. on Friday and South Alabama at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.
* GSU will rely on senior attacking leaders Eliza Zachary and Kristina Stinson as well as defensive specialist Celeste Friesen. The Panthers will attempt to improve to .500 in the Sun Belt, 15-11 all-time versus Troy and 4-6 all-time against South Alabama.
ATLANTA – This weekend, Georgia State court volleyball will play its third and fourth home matches of the season versus conference opponents Troy and South Alabama. The Panthers (4-9) got off to a slow start in the Sun Belt last weekend dropping matches to UL Lafayette and UL Monroe. Head coach Sally Polhamus and the team will look to get back to its winning ways tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.
In her senior campaign, outside hitter Eliza Zachary is just five kills away from triple digits. Zachary's fellow senior Kristina Stinson has nearly matched her step-for-step with 92 kills on the year.
GSU will also rely on sophomore setter Sarah Renner to run the offense as she approaches 400 assists. True freshman and defensive specialist Celeste Friesen, who leads the team with 159 digs and 18 aces, will likely play a pivotal role over the weekend.
Under head coach Sonny Kirkpatrick, the Trojans of Troy University (6-11) will attempt to snap a seven-match win streak of their own. Troy lost its last two home matches to Texas State and UT Arlington in straight sets.
Senior attackers Sarah Landis and Leah Causey have combined for 261 kills on the season. Alisha Henrichs leads the Trojans with 214 digs. Landis, Causey and Henrichs will need to perform at a high level if Troy is to register its first conference win.
On Saturday at 6:00 p.m., GSU will welcome the South Alabama Jaguars under head coach Amy Hendrichovsky. The Lady Jaguars are also 0-2 in the Sun Belt, but cling to a winning record of 9-6 despite dropping three consecutive matches to UGA, UT Arlington and Texas State.
The Jags carry a balanced offensive attack with four players totaling over 100 kills to date. Hendrichovsky will look for Abby Baker to add to her 258 digs as well as setters Ashlyn Roberts and Kellyn Reeves to command the offense. The Jaguars will also be searching for their first conference victory of the season.
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