VALDOSTA, Ga. - The Valdosta State Blazer volleyball team was saw their incredible home winning streak of 23 games come to an end, as the Lions of North Alabama clinched a four-set, 3-1 (25-21, 25-21, 23-25, 25-19) Gulf South Conference victory in Valdosta, Ga. on Sunday afternoon.
The loss dropped the Blazers overall record to 22-6 and 17-3 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Lions advanced their team record to 24-7 and 17-3 in GSC play, and earned a first round bye in the GSC Tournament after locking up the second seed.
The Lions opened up the match with four straight kills, causing the Blazers to trail early. North Alabama never lead by more than five points in the opening frame, but Valdosta State's comeback attempts fell short, as the Lions produced eight more team kills than the Blazers to claim the set, 25-21.
Valdosta State tried to regroup during the second set, however, their momentum was cut short by the Lions. The Blazers were unable to find rhythm and stop UNA's offensive line, and the Lions ultimately captured the second set, 25-21.
Down 2-0 in the match, the Blazers went back to the drawing board in the third set and jumped out to a four point lead. The two teams duked it out and exchanged points throughout the set before the Blazers prevailed, 25-23.
The Lions quickly answered back, as North Alabama used aggressive serving and a solid offense, which forced several Blazer errors. The Lions tallied 16 kills over the Blazers seven to clinch the set, 25-19.
Jessica Codato recorded another double-double for the regular season, as she tallied 36 assists and 11 digs in the match, while
Lea Jaklen contributed a solid double-double with 12 kills and ten digs, and
Natalia Campos came up with 17 digs for the match to lead the Blazers on defense. Unfortunately for the Blazers, the 27-kill, .463 hitting performance of Natasha Fomina proved to be too much for the red and black on Senior Day at The Complex.
Prior to the contest, Valdosta State recognized the Blazers' three seniors, Codato, Jaklen, and
Krista Bradford, who were each escorted by family members and friends while receiving gifts and being honored by Blazer Athletics.
Next up, the Blazers will return home to host the opening round of the GSC Tournament. Valdosta State will welcome the Tigers of West Alabama to town for the quarterfinal round on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 p.m.
