THE BASICS:
SCORE: Valdosta State 3, Christian Brothers 1 (25-13, 18-25, 25-20, 25-20)
RECORDS: Valdosta State 9-11 (5-3 GSC), Christian Brothers 8-13 (2-7 GSC)
LOCATION: Valdosta, Ga. (The Complex)
THE LEAD - The Valdosta State volleyball team got off to a quick start and put away the Christian Brothers Buccaneers Friday evening, 3-1 (25-13, 18-25, 25-20, 25-20) for its third-straight win. 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Blazers broke open a 7-7 first set with five-straight serves by sophomore Tammy Reyes-Perez for a 12-7 lead and then rattled off four more for a 17-10 lead
• VSU closed the first set on an 18-6 run for a 1-0 lead.
• The Blazers hit a match-high .423 in the initial set with 12 kills in 26 swings with just one error.  CBU hit .000 with nine kills and nine errors in the set.
• In the second set, the Bucs jumped out to a 4-1 lead and then built a 10-5 lead on a service ace from Alexa Henderson followed by a timeout by VSU.
• VSU scored three-straight points for a 12-8 deficit, but the Bucs swelled the lead to 15-10 on a miscue by the Blazers.
• The Blazers got no closer than seven the rest of the set as CBU evened the match at 1-1.
• CBU had 16 kills in the second set and just one error for a .500 average on 30 swings, while VSU hit .300 and committed just four errors in the set.
• In the third set, VSU broke open a 5-5 score with a three-point run by way of junior Kayla Widera's serve and extended the lead to 13-7 on a miscue by the Bucs.  
• CBU pulled within 17-13 and 19-17, but out of a VSU timeout, the Blazers outscored the Bucs 6-3 to end the set for a 2-1 lead.
• The Blazers held CBU to negative numbers at -.026, while VSU hit a match-low .179.
• The fourth set saw the Blazers take a 5-1 lead, only to see CBU come roaring back for a 7-6 Buc deficit.
• Out of a VSU timeout, the Blazers took command and went on a 6-1 run for a 13-7 lead capped with a miscue by the Bucs.  
• Later, a kill from Widera made the score 20-10 as VSU went on a 13-4 run since the 7-6 lead. 
• Junior Katie McInnis put away the winning point for a 25-20 fourth set win.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• The Blazers hit .278 for the match with 54 kills on 133 swings and 17 errors, while CBU hit .153 with 44 kills on 131 swings and 24 errors.  
• VSU freshman Jessie Mooney recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 14 digs.  
• Widera led the way with 12 kills and had one solo block, along with three assisted rejections.
• Reyes-Perez had 50 assists in the match, while McInnis and senior Lindsey Robinson also had double-digit kills with 10 and 11, respectively.  
• Freshman Aurora Nero had 14 digs.
• Miaya Smith paced the Bucs with 12 kills, while Henderson added 33 assists and Joze Smith had 12 digs.

 
UP NEXT:

• The Blazers continue at home Saturday evening at 7 p.m. versus Union (Tenn.).  
• Fans who bring their Delta State football ticket stub (Saturday at 1 p.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium between No. 10 Valdosta State and Delta State) to the volleyball match tomorrow night will be admitted free.  
• VSU then closes its five match homestand Tuesday at 6 p.m. versus Georgia College at The Complex.