FLORENCE, Ala. – The No. 3 ranked North Alabama Lions put an end to Valdosta State's 2016 campaign with a 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-12) win over the Blazers in the quarterfinal round of the Gulf South Conference Tournament in Florence, Ala. on Tuesday.
 
The Blazers kicked off the opening set with a kill by Ashley Miller and went point-for-point with the No. 3 Lions early in the contest to force an 8-8 tie. Peyton Lang followed with a kill to snap the tie, which sparked a 12-3 run for the Lions and put UNA in front 20-11. Valdosta State matched the Lions 5-5 the rest of the way, but the series of points scored North Alabama a 25-16 win and a 1-0 lead.
 
North Alabama used the momentum and controlled the second set from the outset to take an 11-6 lead. Tristyn Sells blasted a kill on the next point to slightly close the gap, but a relentless UNA attack led to five unanswered points and a 9-2 run during the ensuing stretch. Facing a 20-9 deficit, the Lions outscored the Blazers 5-4 during the final moments of the set to extend a 2-0 advantage in the match.
 
UNA did not let up in the third and final set and used a balanced effort that included strong serves and an effective offensive attack. As a result, the Lions capped off the match with a 25-12 victory and a 3-0 sweep.
 
Valdosta State's top performer was Tristyn Sells, who closed out her junior campaign with a six-kill effort and a .235 hitting performance. In addition, senior Natalia Campos picked up a bevy of impressive digs in the match, which led to a team-high total of 15.
 
North Alabama saw three different plays hit above .300 in the matchup, and Lexie Bradley highlighted the effort with 14 kills against just two errors for a .462 hitting percentage. Setter Jayden Davila McClary paced the Lions with a near double-double that included 41 assists and nine digs.
 
Valdosta State concludes the 2016 season at 13-18 overall, while the Lions advanced to the semifinal round of the GSC Tournament in Pensacola, Fla. and improved their record to 27-5.