CARROLLTON, Ga. - Blazer volleyball opened up the second day of the 2015 South Region Crossover Tournament with a a pair of tough three-set losses against the Sailfish of Palm Beach Atlantic (31-29, 25-21, 25-19) and Florida Southern (25-23, 25-23, 25-20)  on Saturday afternoon in Carrollton, Ga.
 
The Blazers and the Sailfish (15-3) went to a head-to-head in a hard-fought first set. The score went back and forth as each team looked to take the lead in the extended set, before the Sailfish edged out VSU 31-29 by producing only six total team attack errors compared to the Blazers' nine.
 
The Blazers tried to get things going in the second set, but the Sailfish were persistent, and a slew of attack errors allowed PBA to take the set, 25-21.
 
The Sailfish did not allow room for error in the third set, as they racked up 15 team kills over the Blazers' 10 team kills to capture the set and match, 25-19.
 
In the loss, Antia Rodriguez-Sanchez produced a team high of 17 kills to lead the offense for the Blazers, while Jessica Cadoto attempted to spread the offense out with 35 assists. In addition, Natalia Campos led the defense with 18 digs.
 
Valdosta State tried to create some momentum in the second matchup of the day, but Florida Southern (16-3) was one step ahead. The Blazers collected 12 kills, just three shy of their opponent, but the Mocs captured the set, 25-23.
 
Florida Southern was forced to exchange points with the Blazers throughout the match, as VSU repeatedly picked up the Mocs' furious attack attempts. Unforced errors on the part of Valdosta State, however, allowed the Mocs to secure the second set, 25-23.
 
Down two sets to none, the Blazers tried to stir things up with some big plays that included two huge solo blocks by Susanna Peonia. But as the set progressed, the Blazers couldn't overcome the powerful Mocs. The Blazers established a .238 attack percentage against a .383 team hitting percentage for Florida Southern and came up short, 25-20.
 
Rodriguez-Sanchez commanded the offense yet again with 13 kills, while Codato recorded a double-double with 16 digs and 30 assists for the match.

Valdosta State was forced to play both matches without vital contributions from Sara Dandridge and Lea Jaklen, who both suffered injuries on Friday night. Following the losses, the Blazers fell to 14-5 overall.
 
The tournament, which included teams from the Sunshine State Conference and gave the Blazers a chance to play against top notch competition, allowed the Blazers to prepare for important upcoming conference matches. One of those matchups is against West Florida on their home court this Tuesday, October 20^th. The match is slated for 6:00 p.m. in Valdosta, Ga. at The Complex.