Match Information – Valdosta State vs. Shorter
Score: Valdosta State 0, Shorter 3 (25-22, 25-14, 25-21)
Records: VSU (9-10), Shorter (13-4)
Location: The Complex
 
VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State Blazer volleyball team fell to Shorter University on Saturday afternoon at the Complex in three sets. VSU falls to 9-10 on the season, 2-4 in Gulf South Conference play, while the Hawks improved to 13-4 and 6-0 in GSC play. 
 
First Set:
With the first few points tying the game at two, Shorter quickly pulled ahead as they tallied five points, resulting in VSU's head coach Kaleigh Zoucha calling a timeout with the score 7-2. Freshman Jojo Smith and freshman Caitlin Warnshuis recorded kills to try and bounce back, but VSU still trailed 11-5, resulting in the Blazers' second and final timeout early in the first set. 
 
After the timeout, Warnshuis, freshman Kylie Stroehlein, senior Tammy Reyes-Perez, and graduate Deona Mims all recorded kills, but the Hawks still led the match 15-10.
 
VSU brought Shorter's lead down to two points from a Stroehlein kill and a Hawks error, 21-23, but after a Shorter timeout, the Hawks rallied to take the first set 25-22.
 
Second Set:
Shorter took an early lead again in the second set, 4-2, and continued their scoring rally off VSU errors resulting in the Blazers calling an early timeout, 6-3. 
 
Stroehlein, Warnshuis, and Mims all recorded kills following the timeout, but the Hawks still led 12-9. VSU tried to stop Shorter's rally but were unsuccessful as the Hawks took a 10-point lead, 20-10. 
 
Mims and Stroehlein recorded two kills and attempted to shift the momentum back in favor of the Blazers, but it was not enough as Shorter took the second set, 25-14.
 
Third Set:
The Blazer's offense started the third set strong with a Smith kill and took the early lead 4-2, but Shorter rallied back and tied the set at four. 
 
The set went back and forth, with both offenses continuing to test the other's defense until Zoucha called a timeout for the Blazers with the match locked at 14. Shorter's offense rallied, took a five-point lead with multiple Hawk kills and VSU attacking errors, and brought the game to 19-14 in favor of the Hawks. 
 
VSU fought back with a service ace by red-shirt freshman Lyara Rosario and kills by Smith, Stroehlein, and graduate, Grace Daugherty resulting in a Shorter timeout, 20-19. 
 
VSU scored off two Shorter attacking errors and tried to keep the match alive but fell short as the Hawks took the third set 25-21 and the match 3-0.
 
Inside the Numbers:
VSU tallied 59 digs, 28 kills, 27 assists, five total blocks, and four service aces during the match. Stroehlein led the Blazers with eight kills, Smith and Mims with seven, and Warnshuis with four. Leading the Blazers in digs was Rosario with 16, Reyes-Perez with 11, and Stroehlein with 10. Daugherty led the team with two blocks, and Smith led with two service aces.
 
Upcoming:
The Blazers head to Cleveland, Tenn. on Tuesday, Oct. 12, to face Lee University at 6 p.m. for the second time this season.
 
For live stats, live streaming, and information on Blazer volleyball, visit vstateblazers.com or follow Blazer Athletics on social media for updates.