The App State volleyball team is heading to Atlanta for a two-match series against Georgia State this Thursday and Friday, with both contests scheduled for 6 p.m. The Mountaineers enter this road trip looking to reclaim momentum in the Sun Belt Conference after a split weekend against Louisiana.
This matchup isn’t just about the current standings; it’s a battle in a series that has swung in recent years. While App State holds the all-time historical lead 18-13, the immediate past suggests a tighter race. The Mountaineers swept the season series in 2024, but Georgia State flipped the script during their last meeting on October 31 and November 1, 2025, when the Panthers swept the entire weekend. For App State, this trip follows a weekend series in 2025 where Georgia State swept the matchups.
A Clash of Veteran Stability and Fresh Talent
App State arrives in Atlanta leaning heavily on a core of juniors who dictate the rhythm of the game. Raegan Richardson, a transfer from South Florida, has anchored the position of starting setter and already surpassed 2,000 career assists. On the offensive end, Bella Hutchens remains a primary threat; she recently posted a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs in a victory over Louisiana. Defensively, the burden falls on MeMe Davis, who recorded a team-high 467 digs last season.
However, the emergence of the freshmen is also key. Nevaeh Hays has become a force at the net, boasting a .345% hitting percentage and averaging 3.33 blocks per set. When you pair that with Amelia Mancino’s depth, App State isn’t just relying on its veterans—they are building a pipeline of talent that can withstand the grind of a conference schedule.
Georgia State, meanwhile, is operating under a new regime. First-year head coach Jorge Martinez, formerly of Little Rock, is attempting to steer a program that finished 18-10 last year but currently sits sixth in the Sun Belt East Division with a 9-13 overall record. The Panthers possess explosive individual scoring threats that can steal a match in a single set.
The X-Factors in the Panthers’ Arsenal
If App State wants to leave Atlanta with two wins, they have to solve the puzzle of Akira Burt and Sophia Johnson. Burt is a case of athletic evolution; she dominated as a middle blocker in her first two seasons before switching to the right side as a junior. The move paid off, as she averaged a career-best 2.85 points per set and earned Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors on October 13.
Then there is Sophia Johnson. In her first collegiate season, the freshman outside hitter is averaging 11.05 kills per match. Her impact was immediate, earning her a spot on the 2026 Jaguar Classic All-Tournament Team and an Offensive Player of the Week nod on September 15. The contrast is clear: App State plays a cohesive, veteran-led game, while Georgia State relies on the production of Burt and Johnson.
The stakes are further elevated by the individual milestones hanging over this weekend.
| Player | Stat Category | Current Total | Target Milestone | Distance Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Gilmore | Career Blocks | 210 | 250 | 40 |
| Lou Johnson | Career Blocks | 207 | 250 | 43 |
| MeMe Davis | Career Digs | 1,534 | 2,000 | 466 |
| Raegan Richardson | Career Assists | 2,408 | 3,000 | 592 |
The Road to Senior Night
While the Atlanta trip is the immediate priority, the Mountaineers are already looking toward November 5 and 6, when they return home to host Marshall. That home stand carries significant emotional weight, as November 5 is designated as Senior Night to honor Brooke Doherty, Caroline Greene, and Delanie Grevengoed.
The overarching question remains whether Georgia State’s new coaching direction under Martinez can find a way to neutralize App State’s defensive wall of Davis and the blocking duo of Gilmore and Johnson. If the Panthers can let Burt and Johnson run wild, they could easily repeat their 2025 sweep. If not, the Mountaineers will likely solidify their standing in this series.
