Box Score Blazer Volleyball Falls Short in the GSC Semifinal
 
PENSACOLA, Fla. - The Valdosta State Blazer volleyball team could not find rhythm as the rival Lions of North Alabama went on to claim the second round of the Gulf South Conference Tournament in a three-set (25-16, 25-19, 25-17) win over the Blazers in Pensacola, Fla. on Saturday afternoon.
 
The loss to the Lions in the semifinal round forced Valdosta State to fall to 25-7. Meanwhile, the Lions advanced to the final round of the GSC tournament and improved to 25-7.
 
The Blazers opened up the first set by going back and forth with the Lions on the scoreboard. Valdosta State led the set 3 times until the Lions took over. The Blazers accumulated only six team kills compared to the Lions 20 en route to the 25-16 set victory.
 
The Lions jumped out of the second set with a quick 5-0 lead causing trouble for the Blazers. Valdosta State trailed the Lions throughout the set until a game changer kill by Susanna Peonia, which allowed the Blazers to take the lead, 16-15. However, too many forced errors, including eight attack mistakes from the Blazers allowed the Lions to sweep in and claim the set, 25-19.
 
Valdosta State and North Alabama were even in the third set and exchanged points early in the frame. However, the Lions quickly shut the door on the Blazers and ran away with the set and match. The Blazers hit a .158 percentage compared to the Lions .333. North Alabama finished the set with a 25-17 victory over Valdosta State.
 
Jessica Codato dished out 23 assists to five different players. Of those five, Lea Jaklen led the offense with 8 kills and no hitting errors. In addition, Natalia Campos tallied 11 digs to lead the defense and Ashley Miller contributed to 5 block assists.
 
The Blazers will have to wait out there fate until the DII Volleyball Selection Show makes their final team selections on Monday, November 23^rd, at 7:30 p.m. The Selection Show can be followed HERE.