VSU Takes Montevallo in Five, Falls to Arkansas Tech

Lady Blazers come from down 0-2 to beat Montevallo

MONTEVALLO, Ala. - Valdosta State's five-game winning streak came to an end Sunday, but the team bounced back with a come-from-behind victory over Montevallo. After falling to Arkansas Tech, 3-0, the Lady Blazers beat Montevallo in five. It was Valdosta State's second win after falling behind, 2-0.

The Lady Blazers kept it close in the first game against Arkansas Tech with a 6-6 tie, but then the Golden Suns pulled away. Arkansas tech went on a run to 12-6 and then another one to 19-12. It was too much to overcome as VSU fell, 25-16, in the first frame.

In the second frame, Valdosta State tied it at 10 before the Golden Suns began to pull away for the 25-15 win. The third set was VSU's best against Arkansas Tech, but it would not be enough to pull out the win. The Golden Suns put VSU away, 25-19, in the final game.

Irene Hannan led the Lady Blazers in kills with 12 and digs with 11. Emelia Saulter dished 24 assists in the match.

Valdosta State went back and forth against Montevallo in the first frame, and led by as many as four points. However, the Falcons fought back to win the set, 25-22. The second game was much like the first. There were a number of long volleys, but Montevallo gained their second point in the match with a 25-18 win.

In the third frame, Valdosta State stayed alive with a thrilling 25-23 win to force the match to a fourth set. Ruthie King notched five kills and Hannan dug the ball five times in the third game alone. The Lady Blazers had only four errors in the game.

Behind Katie Onushko, Valdosta State carried the momentum into the fourth game. Onushko notched six kills and four digs in the frame. The Lady Blazers raced out to a 7-2 lead to force an early timeout from Montevallo. After the timeout, VSU expanded their lead to 12-4. At that point, the Lady Blazers seized complete control to surge to a 21-9 lead and eventual 25-13 win. Valdosta State only committed two errors in the fourth game.

The Falcons regained their composure in the fifth frame, but the Lady Blazers led, 8-7, at the switch. With VSU leading, 12-8, Montevallo took its second timeout of the game. The Falcons would need more as VSU won the game, 15-10, to take the match, 3-2.

Both Hannan and Onushko finished with 16 kills while King notched 11 and 22 digs. Hannan had 16 digs while Saulter dug up 11 on her way to 49 assists. The Lady Blazers outblocked Montevallo, 11-6 with Saulter and Tania Tauiliili in on five and six respectively.

Valdosta State's next match comes at Fort Valley State at 11 a.m. Monday.

Match 1 Box Score

Match 2 Box Score

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