VALDOSTA, Ga. - Following a stellar start to their 2015 campaign this past weekend in Boca Raton, Fla., the Valdosta State volleyball team is anxious to kick off the home portion of their schedule on Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. in The Complex.
The 3-0 start for the flame red and black was highlighted by a Saturday night win over the hosting Lynn in a thrilling five-set match in which the Blazers used double digit kills from Antia Rodriguez Sanchez (16) and
Lea Jaklen (14) to overtake the Fighting Knights in front of their home crowd.
Lynn climbed back into the match after dropping the first two sets to even up the match at 2-2, but a balanced effort by Valdosta State, which included a team high seven blocks from sophomore
Julie Masonheimer and 20 digs from
Natalia Campos, helped VSU edge out the Fighting Knights with a 15-12 win in the deciding frame.
Over the course of the entire weekend, Valdosta State saw an encouraging start from newcomers
Susanna Peonia and
Ashley Miller. Peonia, a junior out of Castel Bolognese, Italy, led all blockers in the middle with 14 in the tournament for an average of 1.17 blocks per set. Her defensive effort, along with 21 kills on the attack, resulted in a spot on the All-Tournament Team. Meanwhile, Miller ranked among the team's top three attackers over the course of the season's first three contests. The freshman blasted 26 kills with just five attack errors in 68 attempts for an average of 2.17 kills per set.
Equally impressive, was senior setter
Jessica Codato. The reigning Gulf South Conference Player of the Year picked up right where she left off in 2014, and three straight double-doubles on the weekend led the senior to a Most Valuable Player honor for the Lynn Invitational.
The Blazers will aim to extend their streak on Tuesday with a long awaited return to The Complex. The Columbus State Lady Cougars come to town for the Blazers' home opener seeking their first win of the season after dropping three straight in the Georgia College and State University Bobcat Classic last weekend in Milledgeville, Ga. to start at 0-3. If Valdosta State's performance at home in recent years is any indication of what to expect, the task will be a tall one for CSU. Since Head Coach
Mike Swan took over the team in 2013, the Blazers have compiled a 22-2 record within the friendly confines of The 'Plex, and last season, VSU did not lose a home contest.
In order to extend their 14-game streak at home, the Blazers will need to contain Ohio native and 6'0" junior Megan Frame. As a team, the Lady Cougars have struggled to find consistency on the attack and are currently hitting just .021. However, Frame has established herself as CSU's top player so far this season and leads the team in both kills (20) and blocks (7).
Don't miss the Blazers on Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m. in their 2015 home opener! Game time is set for 6 p.m., with the gates opening at 5:00 p.m., and live coverage will also be provided at www.vstateblazers.com!
