App State Volleyball: Mountaineers Face Georgia State in Atlanta

The App State volleyball team travels to Atlanta this week for a two-match series against Georgia State, with both contests scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

App State currently holds a 15-9 overall record (8-2 in the Sun Belt), while Georgia State is sitting sixth in the Sun Belt East Division with a 9-13 record (3-7 in conference).

The Battle for Series Supremacy

Historically, App State has the upper hand, leading the all-time series 18-13 across 31 meetings. However, recent history suggests that the record book doesn’t tell the whole story. In 2024, the Mountaineers won both matchups against the Panthers. That momentum shifted when Georgia State swept the weekend series on October 31 and November 1, 2025.

Martinez, who previously served as the associate head coach and assistant coach at Little Rock, is tasked with turning a program that finished 18-10 last season into a consistent contender again.

Juniors and Freshmen Drive App State Attack

The Mountaineers are leaning on a balanced attack of seasoned juniors and high-impact freshmen. The engine of the team is junior setter Raegan Richardson, a transfer from South Florida who has already surpassed 2,000 career assists. On the offensive end, junior Bella Hutchens remains a primary threat; in their most recent victory over Louisiana, she posted a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs.

While the juniors provide the stability, freshmen Nevaeh Hays and Amelia Mancino are providing the spark. Hays, in particular, has become a force at the net, recording 60 total blocks and averaging 3.33 blocks per set, while maintaining a .345% hitting percentage with 83 kills.

The team is also chasing several major career milestones that could be reached during this Atlanta stretch:

Chelsea Gilmore: 210 career blocks (40 away from 250)
Lou Johnson: 207 career blocks (43 away from 250)
MeMe Davis: 1,534 career digs (466 away from 2,000)
Raegan Richardson: 2,408 career assists (592 away from 3,000)

Georgia State’s Offensive Weapons

Despite their losing record, the Panthers possess two explosive players capable of stealing a match. Senior right-side hitter Akira Burt is a veteran who transitioned from a middle blocker to the right side as a junior. Burt has averaged a career-best 2.85 points per set and was named the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week on October 13.

Joining her is freshman Sophia Johnson, who has mirrored Burt’s success by earning the same conference honor on September 15. Johnson is averaging 11.05 kills per match and earned a spot on the 2026 Jaguar Classic All-Tournament Team. If App State cannot neutralize Akira Burt and Sophia Johnson, the Panthers’ record becomes irrelevant.

The Road to Senior Night

The outcome in Atlanta will set the tone for the Mountaineers’ return home on November 5 and 6 to host Marshall. The November 5 match carries extra emotional weight as it serves as Senior Night, honoring the contributions of Brooke Doherty, Caroline Greene, and Delanie Grevengoed.

Damian Elder, Liz Curry — Photo: cofcsports.com

Grevengoed enters this stretch coming off a career-high 13 digs in a straight-set sweep of Louisiana. The ability of the Mountaineers’ back row—led by Grevengoed and libero MeMe Davis—to handle the power of Burt and Johnson will likely decide if App State leaves Atlanta with a sweep of their own.

The looming question remains whether Georgia State’s offensive strengths can translate into a series win, or if App State’s superior conference standing is a true reflection of the gap between these two programs.