Match Information
Score: Flagler College 3, Valdosta State University 0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-18)
Records: FC (1-0), VSU (0-1)
Location: The Complex – Valdosta State University
 
VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Blazers fell short during its home opener against Flagler College, losing three sets to zero. The Blazers were led by 11 kills from junior Jessie Mooney, with sophomore Katie Demo leading the team in assists with 12.
 
First Set:
The Blazers hit the court for the first time in over a year and saw its first point in the same amount of time come from freshman Caitlin Warnshuis with help from Demo. In a tight knit battle during the first few points, VSU was able to take the lead after three-straight points to go ahead 6-4. Flagler was able to come back and match the score, but sophomore Keelyn Williams had the answer, giving the Blazers the lead once again. The Blazers were up as much as 11-8, but a five-point swing gave the Saints the lead which it didn't surrender for the rest of the set. The Blazers looked out of it, down 22-17, but the team was able to tack on five points opposed to Flagler's two to push the set to 24-22 in favor of the Saints. Flagler was able to put the set to rest with a kill to take a set advantage.
 
Second Set:
After junior Olivia Piazza tied the set at one, the Saints went on a big 7-1 run to put the Blazers down by six right off the jump. The Blazers struggled to recover from the early deficit but fought hard to claw back. A service ace from senior Tammy Reyes Perez cut the Blazer deficit to just five, finding itself on a 3-0 run, but the Saints were able to answer with two consecutive points to put its lead to seven. The Blazers didn't quit, however, as Williams started a Blazer run to cut the deficit to just three, now only down 19-16. The Saints were able to take over though, closing out the set with six-straight points.
 
Third Set:
VSU found itself in a hole early, down 5-1 with its only point coming off a Saint service error. The Blazers were able to battle back and make it a two-point game on two separate occasions, narrowing the Flagler lead to just 6-4 early on. The Blazers gave up four-straight, putting itself down six, but were looking for ways to keep in the set. VSU put a stop to the run by an ace from Mooney, but the Saints always had an answer. The Saints kept hammering on, going up by as much as seven points, but the Blazers found a way to make it back in the set as it went on a small 3-0 run to make its deficit just four. The Saints didn't let up though as it finished the set on a 4-1 run to win the set and the match.
 
Inside the Numbers:
The Blazers finished with 32 kills as well as 20 attack errors. On the serving end, the Blazers totaled three aces with two coming from Reyes Perez but added four service errors during its three sets played. Mooney led the team with a .381 hitting percentage where the teams total was .132. VSU ended the match with five more digs than Flagler and totaled four blocks. Flagler hit at a .292 mark, edging the Blazers in total kills by five.
 
UP NEXT:
VSU travels to face Flagler College in its home gym this Friday, Feb. 19^th at 6 p.m. Fans can access links to live stats, audio/video streaming, ticket information and more at vstateblazers.com on the volleyball schedule page.