CARROLLTON, Ga. – The Valdosta State volleyball team fell to Augusta University, 3-2 on Saturday on the final day of the Peach Belt/ Gulf South Conference Crossover in Carrollton.  

The Blazers fell to 7-6 on the year while the Jaguars improved to 7-3.  

The Blazers hit .136 for the match while recording 58 kills, 86 digs and 10 service aces. Sophomore Jojo Smith, the Guardian Player of the Match, led the Blazers, recording a double-double with 17 kills and 18 digs, while sophomore Lyara Rosario led the Blazer defense with 27 digs. Christina Pettigrew recorded a team-high five aces and seven Blocks while graduate Mallory Roney also recorded 17 kills and 14 digs. Sophomore Victoria Zarazel had 50 assists for VSU as the setter.  

For AU, the team hit .220 while recording 99 digs, 62 digs, 11 blocks and four aces. The team was led by Jazmyn Wheeler, who had 18 kills, while Kiera Barr had a team-high 31 digs on defense.  

Set One (VSU 25, AU 21) 

The Blazers jumped out early with a 6-3 start, but the Jags recorded six-straight points to take the lead at 11-8. The Blazers then fought back to tie the game at 15, but Augusta went on to go on a four-point run to build a 19-15 lead. VSU responded with a 9-1 run from efforts by Smith, freshman Ava Young and Murray to reach set point at 24-20 and a final kill by Murray allowed the Blazers to take set one 25-21.  

Set Two (VSU 25, AU 22) 

After an 8-3 start from the Jags, the Blazers were able to scratch back and cut the AU lead to 8-6 from a Jaguar miscue. The Blazers were able to hold steady in the middle of the set, but back-to-back service aces from Pettigrew allowed the Blazers to tie the game at 21. The Blazers then went on a four-point run to take set two 25-22.  

Set Three (AU 25, VSU 16) 

The Jaguars were able to build a small 8-6 lead in the middle of the set, but miscues from AU allowed the Blazers to tie the game at nine. AU then sparked an 8-4 run to build a four-point lead, 17-13. The Blazers tried to battle back with a kill by Roney, but the Jags went on a final 8-2 run deep into the set to take set three, 25-16.  

Set Four (AU 26, VSU 24) 

The Jags quickly jumped out to an 8-3 lead but kills by Smith, Roney, Pettigrew and AU miscues allowed the Blazers to tie the set at 10. VSU then went on a five-point run to build a lead at 15-11. AU fought back to tie the set at 18, but the Blazers were able to push ahead and regain the lead at 21-18. Deep into the set, AU went on a 4-1 run to bring the score to 24-23 in favor of AU. A kill by Murray allowed the Blazers to tie the set at 24, but a Jaguar service ace and a kill allowed AU to take set four, 26-24 to force a fifth set.  

Set Five (AU 15, VSU 6)  

AU began the set with a quick 8-3 lead, but kills from Pettigrew, Smith and Murray allowed VSU to scratch back to a three-point deficit at 9-6. The Jags then scored six unanswered points to take set five 15-6, and the match 3-2.  

Up Next 

The Blazers are set to open GSC action on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET against West Florida in Pensacola. The Blazers will then travel back to Carrollton to take on West Georgia at 1 p.m. on Sept. 17 before returning home to the Complex to host Union on Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.  

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