Release from Georgia State Athletics:
Just three years after being formed at Georgia State, the sand volleyball program reached new heights on Tuesday when the Panthers earned their highest preseason ranking, coming in at No. 10 on the American Volleyball Coaches Association’s poll.
“We’re really excited to be recognized as one of the top teams. It speaks volumes to the amount of work our girls have put in to build this program from the ground up,” head coach Beth Van Fleet said Wednesday. “This is just the beginning, we have a lot more work ahead of us to get where we want to be.”
Georgia State returns top pair Sara Olivova and Jansen Button. The duo posted a 23-9 record last season including a win over Tulane’s Tea Juric and Jackie Wegner, a pair selected to go to the AVCA National Championship. The Panthers also return Katelyn Rawls and Sarah Agnew, who went 15-9 record at No. 3.
Four newcomers join the ranks of the Sandy Panthers for their 2015 season. Jessica Swaney and Allie Elson are a pair of Georgia natives and fellow freshman Maggie Dostalova comes to GSU from Czech Republic. Georgia State also added transfer Nina Interwies from St. Petersburg College.
The Panthers cracked the top 10 during their 14-5 season in 2014, but this marks the first time that GSU appears on the preseason list. Georgia State will begin competition March 7 at the Carolina Classic in Columbia, S.C. GSU will host two home events this season with the first happening March 11 when New Orleans, Mercer and South Carolina come to town.
DiG Magazine released its preseason poll on Jan. 20. Georgia State registered at No. 11 in that ranking.
The Sports Inquirer 
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