JACKSON, Tenn. – The Valdosta State volleyball team fell in straight sets to Union Friday afternoon on the road. The Bulldogs took the match 25-17, 25-13, 25-21 and improved to 19-9 on the year and 12-2 in the Gulf South Conference, while the Blazers fell to 12-18 on the year and 6-8 in the GSC.  

VSU hit .171 for the match and recorded 29 kills, two aces, three blocks and 33 digs. Sophomore Mackenzie Murray, the Guardian Bank Player of the Match, recorded a team-high 10 kills along with two digs while hitting .318. Sophomore Jojo Smith recorded nine kills on offense along with three digs while senior Olivia Piazza recorded a team-high 16 digs on defense. Graduate Mallory Roney recorded both of VSU's service aces and also picked up four kills and a dig.  

For the Bulldogs, the team hit .297 and recorded 39 kills, 13 aces, seven blocks and 27 digs. Emily Grace Calhoon led the offense with 11 kills and also had a team-high five blocks while Jordan Vick recorded a team-high eight digs on defense.  

Set One (UU 25, VSU 17)  

After a 7-5 start from the Blazers, the Bulldogs battled back with an 8-1 run to build a 13-8 lead. After a kill by Murray brought the Blazers back to the serving line, Union went on a 5-2 run to push its lead to 18-11. Deep into the set, attack errors from Union and a kill by Murray allowed VSU to come within four, 21-17, but four-straight points from the hosts allowed the Bulldogs to take set one, 25-17.  

Set Two (UU 25, VSU 13) 

 The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 5-3 lead, but a kill by Smith, Bulldog attack errors and a service ace from Roney allowed VSU to take the lead at 6-5. After a kill by Smith tied the game evenly at seven, UU was able to go on a dominating 11-2 run to build a 19-9 lead. VSU responded with two quick points from Murray and Smith, but a final 6-2 run allowed the Bulldogs to take set two, 25-13.  

Set Three (UU 25, VSU 21) 

Kills by Smith, Roney and freshman Ava Young, and UU miscues allowed the Blazers to build a 4-0 lead to begin the set. Union's offense responded with a 5-0 run to take the lead at 6-5. Following a ball-handling error from Union to tie the game at six, the Bulldogs went on a 10-3 run to build a 16-9 lead. Deep into the set, a huge kill from Smith sparked a 7-1 from VSU to allow the Blazers to scratch back to 19-17. At match point, VSU stayed alive with a kill from Murray and UU miscues, but a final service error allowed the Bulldogs to take set three 25-21, and the match 3-0.  

The Blazers are set to round out the regular season home slate next week, playing host to Auburn Montgomery on Nov. 3 and then West Georgia on Nov. 4 with both matches slated for 6 p.m. inside the Complex. 

For all updates on Blazer volleyball, visit vstateblazers.com or follow Valdosta State Athletics on social media.