GSC TOURNAMENT CENTRAL - GSC TOURNAMENT BRACKET

VALDOSTA, Ga. – It's on to the semifinal round of the 2015 Gulf South Conference Tournament for the Valdosta State Blazer volleyball team, who defeated West Alabama handily in the opening round with a 3-1 (25-21, 19-25, 25-20, 25-18) on Tuesday night at The Complex in Valdosta, Ga.
 
Just as she as all season long, senior setter Jessica Codato anchored the Blazer attack with 53 assists on the night and a team high .467 hitting percentage with seven kills and no errors. Codato's effort, along with the offensive performance of Susanna Peonia, Lea Jaklen, and Antia Rodriguez-Sanchez, who each recorded double-digits in the kill column, led to 63 kills for Valdosta State and helped the Blazers claim their third victory over the Tigers this season.
 
The Blazers only letdown came in the second set, when UWA bounced back from a loss in the first set to take an early lead in the second frame. Valdosta State managed to keep the set close and even took a 14-12 lead near the midway point after back-to-back kills by Peonia. A Blazer attack error, however, followed by a kill by UWA's Briana Sandifer, promptly tied the set, and the Tigers outscored the Blazers 11-5 the rest of the the way to even the match up at 1-1.
 
Valdosta State quickly recovered in the final two sets and cruised to victory to improve their record to 23-6 overall. With the loss, the Tigers saw their season come to its conclusion at 11-20.
 
On the defensive side, Peonia added a team high four blocks, while Sydney Chick delivered a career high effort and led the Blazers on the back row with 24 digs on the night.
 
Pensacola, Fla. will serve as the host site for the final two rounds of the GSC Tournament, and the Blazers will have a chance to avenge Sunday's loss to North Alabama with a 4:30 p.m. matchup against the Lions in the semifinal round.