THE BASICS:
SCORE: Valdosta State 3, West Alabama 1 (25-23, 25-22, 14-25, 26-24)
RECORDS: Valdosta State 8-11 (4-3 GSC), West Alabama 12-5 (5-2 GSC)
LOCATION: Valdosta, Ga. (The Complex)
THE LEAD: The Valdosta State volleyball team won arguably its biggest match of the season with a 3-1 victory over visiting West Alabama Saturday afternoon at The Complex.  VSU won the first two sets and battled back from an 18-8 deficit in the fourth set for a 26-24 victory. 
 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After winning the first two sets just like in the match last night versus Mississippi College, the Blazers stumbled in the third set, losing 25-14.
• It looked as if Saturday's match would go to five games just as Friday's did as VSU trailed 18-8 in the fourth set.
• Things would be different on Saturday, however, as the Blazers dug deep and started the rally with two attack errors by UWA and an ace for freshman Jessie Mooney.
• UWA kept VSU at bay and held a 22-15 lead before the decisive charge by the Blazers as the team scored nine-straight points for a 24-22 lead as the run saw UWA commit four errors and VSU added two aces.
• The Tigers tied the set at 24, but VSU wouldn't be denied as a block error and kill from senior Lindsey Robinson ended the match.
• VSU looked strong in the first two sets as it broke an 8-8 tie with a 6-2 run for a 16-10 score capped with an error on the Tigers.
• UWA pulled within 23-22 late in the initial set, but senior Katie McInnis got a kill and, after a UWA point, the Tigers failed on the serve to had VSU the first set.
• VSU held a narrow lead much of the second set and an error on the Tigers pushed the VSU lead to 22-19.The Blazers led 24-20 and won the final point on a kill from junior Kayla Widera as VSU scored four of its final five points on miscues by the Tigers.
• In the third set, UWA roared back for a 25-14 win.

 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• The Blazers hit .155 for the match with 39 kills on 148 swings with 16 errors.
• UWA hit .240 with 63 kills on 167 swings, but 23 miscues proved costly for the Tigers.
• Robinson led the Blazers with ten kills, while Widera had eight and Mooney had seven.
• Senior Chloe' Chubilleau tallied three aces, while sophomore Tammy Reyes-Perez recorded 32 assists and Chubilleau added 20 digs, with McInnis recording 17 and freshman Auroa Nero adding 14.
• VSU swept its first conference weekend of the season and improved to 4-3 in GSC play.
• The Blazers handed UWA its second conference loss of the season, first road loss and snapped a four-match winning streak by the Tigers.

 
UP NEXT:

• The Blazers continue at home next weekend as Christian Brothers and Union (Tenn.) visit for a pair of GSC matches.
• VSU battles Christian Brothers Friday at 7 p.m. and Union Saturday at 7 p.m., following the VSU football game at 1 p.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.