VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Valdosta State volleyball team defeated the visiting Christian Brothers Buccaneers in straight sets Saturday afternoon inside the Complex, snapping a five-game skid. The Blazers improved to 7-10 on the year and 1-3 in conference play while the Bucs fell to 2-9 on the year and 1-4 in the Gulf South Conference.  

The Blazers hit .267 for the match while recording 50 digs, 33 kills, a season-high 16 blocks and four service aces. Sophomore Christina Pettigrew, the Guardian Bank Player of the Match, recorded six blocks along with seven kills while hitting .429. Freshman Ava Young also had six blocks at the net while graduate Mallory Roney led the offense with eight kills and sophomore Lyara Rosario held down the defense with 17 digs as the libero.  

For the Bucs, the team hit -.027 and recorded 25 kills, five aces, 57 digs and two blocks. Maddi Rowley led the offense with seven kills while also recording a team-high 14 digs and Maysen Bruschke had three service aces.  

Set One (VSU 25, CBU 21)  

The Blazers quickly hit home three points to build a 3-0 lead, but the Bucs were able to scratch back and tie the game at three.  After the Bucs took the lead at 7-5, kills by Pettigrew and Buccaneer miscues allowed VSU to tie the game back at eight. Later in the set, CBU was able to get two points from Blazer miscues to build a 17-14 lead, but VSU went on a 5-1 run to regain the lead at 19-18. After the Bucs recorded three-straight points, the Blazer offense recorded six unanswered points courtesy of kills by Young and Roney to take the opening set, 25-21.  

Set Two (VSU 25, CBU 13) 

VSU opened the set with a dominating seven-point run to build an 11-4 lead. After a kill by CBU, the Blazers continued their dominating showing with another 7-1 run from kills by Roney, sophomore Ah'Miah Harris and a service ace by sophomore Giulia Dias to bring the score to 18-6 in favor of VSU. Late in the set, CBU went on a four-point run, but the Blazers collected the final four points to take set two, 25-13.  

Set Three (VSU 25, CBU 19)  

The Blazers quickly jumped out to an 8-3 lead to begin the set, but CBU was able to go on an 8-2 run to take the lead at 12-11. Following the run, VSU went on a 5-2 run of its own to regain the lead at 16-14. Deep into the set, a kill by sophomore Jojo Smith and CBU miscues allowed VSU to go on a six-point run. Two final CBU miscues in addition to a kill by Roney allowed the Blazers to take set three 25-19, and the match 3-0.  

The Blazers continue conference play at Lee on Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. in Cleveland, Tenn., before traveling to Rome, Ga. on Oct. 1 to take on Shorter at 2 p.m.   

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