LIVINGSTON, Ala – Behind a season-high 20 kills from sophomore Jojo Smith, the Valdosta State volleyball team defeated West Alabama in a 26-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-23, 15-13 decision on the road Saturday afternoon. The Blazers improved to 8-14 on the year and 2-7 in the Gulf South Conference and broke a four-game skid while the Tigers fell to 5-15 on the year and 1-8 in conference play. 

The Blazers recorded 54 kills, 18 aces, six blocks and 75 digs. Smith, the Guardian Bank Player of the Match, recorded a double-double on the afternoon, finishing the match with 17 digs on defense, three service aces and two block assists in addition to her 20 kills and hit .359 for the match. Senior Olivia Piazza led the defense with 29 digs while sophomore Christina Pettigrew had a team-high five block assists at the net. Sophomore Ramsey Marshall recorded a career-high four aces and sophomore Audrey Bennett recorded a team-high 29 assists as the setter. 

For the Tigers, the team hit .218 for the match and recorded 57 kills, 13 aces, nine blocks and 59 digs. Nathalia Medeiros led the offense with 13 kills while MacKenzie Wells had 16 digs on defense and Kenyatta Thomas had seven blocks at the net. 

Set One (VSU 26, UWA 24)

The Blazers began the set with a 4-2 run, but the Tigers took the lead at 9-8 after two kills and a service ace. After the Blazers tied the game at 10, VSU went on a 4-1 run from kills by sophomore Mackenzie Murray and two service aces from Smith. Following the run, UWA tied the game again at 14 and then built an 18-16 lead. Following a 4-1 run, the Blazers were able to tie the game at 22 from kills by Smith and Piazza. The Tigers were then able to tie the game at 24, but a UWA attack error and a kill by Bennett gave VSU the first set, 26-24. 

Set Two (UWA 25, VSU 18) 

VSU got off to a 5-3 start, but the Tigers were able to battle back and take the lead at 7-6. Kills by Murray and a service ace from Pettigrew allowed VSU to regain the lead at 9-7. After back-and-forth points throughout the set, West Alabama was able to go on a 3-0 run to take a 23-17 lead. After a service error from UWA, the Tigers were able to get two final points off to take the second set 25-18. 

Set Three (VSU 25, UWA 19) 

The Blazer offense came out firing, gaining a 7-3 lead to begin the frame from efforts by Murray and Smith. After the Tigers battled back to come within two, 8-6, VSU went on a four-point run to build a 12-6 lead. Deep into the set, UWA scored six-straight points to come within one, 15-14, but VSU's offense exploded, knocking down six-straight points to build a 21-14 lead. A final kill by Murray at the end of the set allowed VSU to take set three 25-19. 

Set Four (UWA 25, VSU 23) 

After VSU built a 9-6 lead, West Alabama was able to score 10 unanswered points to take the lead at 16-9. Following the run, VSU went on a 6-1 run to come within three, 19-16. The Blazers were then able to tie the game at 23 after UWA attack errors and kills by Pettigrew and sophomore Lyara Rosario, but two final points from the Tigers allowed UWA to take set four, 25-23, and force a decisive fifth set. 

Set Five (VSU 15, UWA 13) 

After two quick points from the Tigers, VSU's offense came alive and recorded six-straight points to build a 6-2 lead. In the middle of the set, kills and a service ace from Smith brought the score to 11-7 in favor of VSU. Deep into the set, UWA came within one, 13-12 from a 4-1 run, but a service error and a huge kill by Smith allowed VSU to take the fifth set 15-13 and the match 3-2. 

The Blazers return to action at the GSC/SSC Regional Crossover in Hoover, Ala. on Oct. 14-15.