WALTHAM, Mass. – The Valdosta State volleyball team split a pair of matches on the final day of the Sandy Hoffman Memorial Tournament in Waltham, Mass., Saturday, falling in straight sets to Bentley, 3-0, and then sweeping Holy Family University 3-0 for the first win of 2022. The Blazers improved to 1-4 on the year.
Game One (BU 3, VSU 0)
Set One (BU 25, VSU, 19)
After a service error from the Blazers allowed BU to go ahead 7-5 early in the set, back-to-back attacking errors from the Falcons' offense tied the game at seven.
The Falcons were able to pull away later in the set, 19-14, but a kill by sophomore Jojo Smith ended the scoring drought for VSU.
BU then went on a four-point run late to bring the score to 23-15. The Blazers found a spark in their offense and went on a four-point run themselves from Falcon miscues and kills from graduate Mallory Roney to bring the Blazers within four, 23-19.
Blazer attacking errors allowed the Falcons to get the final two points and take set one, 25-19.
Set Two (BU 25, VSU 22)
The Blazers fired off a quick kill from sophomore Victoria Zarazel, but BU was able to bounce back with three points to take the lead 3-1 early in the set.
After a kill by sophomore Christina Pettigrew, the Blazers were able to tie the game back at four. After back-and-forth points, BU went on a four-point run to take a five-point lead, 10-5.
VSU began to fight back and took the lead, 12-11, from miscues from BU's offense and kills by sophomore Ah'Miah Harris and freshman Ava Young.
VSU later tied the set at 18 after a pair of three-point runs and a kill by Roney, but BU was able to gain a small lead deep into the set, 22-20.
After a Blazer miscue and a kill from the Falcons' offense, Bentley was able to take set two, 25-22.
Set Three (BU 25, VSU 22)
The Falcons were able to jump out to an early 9-4 lead to begin the set, but BU attacking errors and a kill from Young allowed the Blazers to tie the game at nine.
After back-and-forth points throughout the set, Bentley scored five unanswered points to gain a six-point lead, 20-14.
The Blazers then responded with four-straight points of their own from a service ace by sophomore Victoria Zarazel, a kill by Young and BU attack errors to cut the Falcons' lead to 22-19.
At match point, a kill by Smith and a Falcon attack error brought VSU within two, 24-22, but a final kill from the Falcons allowed BU to take set three 25-22 and the match 3-0.
Inside the Numbers
For the game, the Blazers hit .070 and had 29 kills, 14 blocks, 56 digs and three aces. Sophomore Lyara Rosario led the team in digs with 20, while Smith led the team in kills with eight. Zarazel had two aces for the match while Young led the team with seven blocks.
Game Two (VSU 3, HFU 0)
Set One (VSU 25, HFU 22)
The tigers jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead, but the Blazers quickly bounced back with a four-point run, courtesy of kills by Roney and back-to-back service aces from Smith, to take the lead at 9-7.
After a Blazer attacking error, HFU was able to tie the game at 10, but a five-point run deep into the set allowed VSU to take control of set one, 21-17.
The Blazers saw set point at 24-19 from HFU miscues and a kill by sophomore Christina Pettigrew, but the Tigers held on to bring the score to 24-22. A final kill by Roney allowed the Blazers to take set one 25-22.
Set Two (VSU 25, HFU 22)
With the Tigers up 11-9, the Blazers' offense scored seven unanswered points from Tiger miscues, kills from Harris, and three service aces from sophomore Kylie Stroehlein to give VSU the lead, 16-11.
A huge kill by Smith later in the set allowed the Blazers to build a six-point lead, 20-14, but the Tigers began to scratch back, scoring four-straight points to come within one, 21-20.
Kills by Roney, Young and sophomore Mackenzie Murray allowed the Blazers to reach set point at 24-20, and a final Tiger miscue allowed the Blazers to take set two, 25-22.
Set Three (VSU 25, HFU 14)
After back-and-forth points to begin the set, the Blazers went on a six-point run from kills by Stroehlein and aces by Zarazel to give VSU the advantage at 14-8.
Huge kills by Harris, Young and another ace by Stroehlein allowed the Blazers to gain a seven-point lead, 17-10.
Deep into the set, the Blazers reached match point via Tiger miscues and a kill by Pettigrew, and then Rosario gave the final kill to give Blazers the third set 25-14, and the match 3-0.
Inside the Numbers
For the match, the Blazers hit .195 and recorded 44 kills, 55 digs, six blocks and 14 aces. Pettigrew led the Blazers with 10 kills and four blocks, while Rosario recorded a team-high 12 digs and Stroehlein had four aces.
Up Next
The Blazers are back in action on Aug. 31 for the 2022 home opener against Clark Atlanta at 6 p.m.inside the Complex and then will compete in the Newberry College Volleyball Invitational Sept. 2-3in Newberry, S.C.
For all updates on Blazer volleyball, visit vstateblazers.com or follow Valdosta State Athletics on social media.
