PENSACOLA, Fla. – The Valdosta State women's volleyball team opened Gulf South Conference action with a loss to No. 11 West Florida in straight sets on the road. The Blazers fell to 6-8 on the year and 0-1 in GSC play while the Argos improved to 9-3 on the year and 1-0 in the GSC.  

VSU recorded 23 kills, 39 digs, nine blocks and four service aces and hit .100 for the match. Sophomore Jojo Smith, the match's Guardian Bank Player of the Match, led the Blazers' offense with seven kills while also recording eight digs on defense. Sophomore Lyara Rosario led the Blazers' defense with nine digs while freshman Ava Young and sophomore Christina Pettigrew led the team with four blocks each.  

For the Argos, UWF hit .298 for the match and recorded 46 kills, 57 digs four blocks and a service ace. Jenna Zydo led the Argos with 12 digs while Meg Brackhan led the defense with 16 digs.  

Set One (UWF 25, VSU 12)  

After the Argos jumped out to a 5-3 lead, the Blazers were able to scratch back to a one-point deficit, 6-5 from a UWF miscue. The Argos then went on a four-point run to push their lead to 11-6. The Blazers were able to take back a few points from a kill by sophomore Mackenzie Murray and a service ace by sophomore Victoria Zarazel to bring the score to 12-8 in favor of UWF.  After the Argos went on a five-point run, the Argo offense exploded with an 8-1 run to take set one 25-12.  

Set Two (UWF 25, VSU 18)  

The Argos again jumped out to a 5-3 lead to begin the set, but a kill by Murray allowed the Blazers to fight back and tie the game at six. The Blazers again were able to tie the game at eight later in the set from another kill by Murray, but UWF sparked a 6-3 run to build its lead to 13-10. Deep into the set, VSU went on a 5-1 run to come within five, 23-18, but Blazer miscues allowed UWF to get the final two points and take set two, 25-18.  

Set Three (UWF 25, VSU 21)  

The Blazers began set three with four quick points to jump out 4-2, but the Argos were able to battle back and tie the game at four. VSU then went on a 6-3 run courtesy of kills by Murray, graduate Mallory Roney and an ace by Zarazel to give the Blazers an 11-8 advantage. Deep into the set, the Blazers were able to tie the game at 19 after a two-point deficit from kills by Pettigrew and an Argo miscue, but UWF fought back with four-straight points to take set three, 25-21, and the match 3-0.  

The Blazers are back in action on Saturday as the team travels back to Carrollton, Ga. to take on West Georgia at 1 p.m. for the second GSC matchup of the year.  

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