VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State volleyball team opens the 2021 home slate Tuesday at 6 p.m. at The Complex versus Edward Waters University.   
 

Fans can access links to live stats and streaming of the match at vstateblazers.com on the volleyball schedule page.   

The Blazers are coming off a 1-3 record in St. Augustine, Fla., this past weekend in the Flagler Saints Invitational.  The Blazers dropped a 3-0 decision to Eckerd, followed by a thrilling 3-2 victory over Belmont Abbey.  VSU fell 3-1 to the host Saints and lost 3-1 to No. 6 Lewis, handing the Flyers just their second set loss on the weekend.   

VSU graduate transfer Deona Mims and senior Jessie Mooney led the Blazers in kills, each with 40, while freshman Kylie Stroehlein followed close behind with 36.  Senior setter Tammy Reyes-Perez, recorded 112 assists, while redshirt freshman Lyara Rosario led VSU in digs with 59 and Stroehlein added 52.  Sophomore Kennedy DeLuca led in blocks with 17, including two solo rejections, while graduate student Grace Daugherty had 11 total blocks.   

For the tournament, Mooney and Stoehlein each had two double-doubles as Mooney recorded 12 kills and 12 digs against Belmont Abbey and 13 kills and 10 digs versus Flagler.  Stroehlein had 12 kills and a season-high 19 digs against Flagler and 10 kills and 18 digs versus Lewis.  As a team, the Blazers tallied 144 kills for the tournament in 567 swings, while they had 129 assists with 27 service aces and 219 digs.  VSU recorded 31 blocks with five solo blocks.   

This matchup between The Blazers and the Tigers will be the third match of the season for Edward Waters. The Tigers are 1-1, where they defeated Trinity Baptist College and lost to College of Coastal Georgia. Edward Waters is under the direction of first season Head Coach Dr. Brandon Reeves. The Tigers are an NAIA school located in Jacksonville, Fla. 

Following Tuesday's match, the Blazers continue at home this weekend as they will host the VSU Fall Tournament, Sept. 10-11, at The Complex.  The tournament will have staggered start times throughout with two courts going.  The Blazers are scheduled to face Eckerd again and Arkansas-Fort Smith on Friday at 1 and 5 p.m., respectively, and UNC Pembroke and Saint Leo at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., respectively, on Saturday. 

All Athletic events at VSU will have a "courtesy socially distance" section for spectators who would like a little more space.  For Blazer Volleyball games in The Complex this season, sections A through E and FF through JJ will be the "courtesy socially distance" sections. These sections are located on the mezzanine level of the complex and can be accessed by stairwells in all four corners of the arena.  The "courtesy socially distance" sections are on a first-come, first-serve basis and are subject to change.  

Although not required, VSU Athletics encourages fans and spectators to wear a mask/face covering at sporting events. Visit vstateathletics.com for updated information about these sections and on all Blazer sports.