CLEVELAND, Tenn. ­ The Valdosta State volleyball team fell in four sets to Lee on the road Friday night. The Flames took the first set 25-20, the second set 25-18 and the fourth set 25-22 while the Blazers took the third set 25-18.  

VSU fell to 7-11 on the year and 1-4 in Gulf South Conference play while the Flames improved to 3-14 on the year and 1-4 in the GSC. 

The Blazers hit .110 for the match and recorded 38 kills, five aces, 12 blocks and 74 digs.  Sophomore Christina Pettigrew, the match's Guardian Bank Player of the Match, led the team and recorded a season-high eight blocks at the net while also leading the team with two aces. Sophomore Jojo Smith recorded a double-double, having 16 kills and 17 digs and also had a service ace. Sophomores Audrey Bennett and Giulia Dias combined for 13 assists each while Sophomore Lyara Rosario recorded 16 digs as the libero.  

For the Flames, the team hit .088 for the match and had 46 kills, eight aces, three blocks and 73 digs. Sophia Lippert led the team with 12 aces while Abby Stroh had a team-high 18 digs and Ashton Middleton led the team with three aces and 22 assists.  

Set One (LU 25, VSU 20)  

The Flames were able to build an early 7-4 lead to start the set, but kills by freshmen Ava Young and Kameron Taylor allowed the Blazers to come within one, 7-6. After a  7-1 run from the Blazers to build a 14-11 lead, the Flames responded with eight unanswered points to regain the lead at 22-19. After a service error from Lee to give the Ball back to VSU, a Blazer miscue and a kill from the Flames' offense allowed Lee to take set one 25-20.   

Set Two (LU 25, VSU 18) 

VSU was able to build an 8-6 lead to begin the set, but a 7-2 run from the Flames allowed LU to take the lead at 13-10. The Blazers were able to take back the lead via Lee miscues at 15-16, but three straight points from the Flames gave Lee the lead at 19-16. Deep into the set, the Flames' offense recorded four points to take set two 25-18.  

Set Three (VSU 25, LU 18)  

Lee quickly jumped out to a 5-3 lead, but six straight points from VSU courtesy of service aces by Pettigrew and Lee miscues allowed VSU to take the lead at 9-5. The Flames were able to scratch back to 12-11, but an 8-3 run from a kill by Smith and Flame miscues allowed the Blazers to build a 20-14 lead. Later in the set, a Flame miscue and kills by Smith and Pettigrew allowed VSU to take set three 25-18 and force a fourth set.  

Set Four (LU 25, VSU 22) 

An early run by Lee gave the Flames a 6-4 advantage, but a kill by Pettigrew allowed VSU to scratch back within one, 6-5. Following the kill, Lee went on a 7-1 run to build a 13-6 lead but the Blazers responded with a 5-2 run of their own to cut Lee's lead to 15-11. A kill by Pettigrew and a Flame miscue allowed the blazers to come within two at 18-16. Deep into the set, an ace by Dias and a kill by sophomore Ah'Miah Harris gave VSU the lead at 22-21, but Lee knocked home four-straight points to take the final set 25-22 and the match, 3-1.  

The Blazers continue GSC play at Shorter on Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. and will return to the Complex on Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. for a rematch with the Flames.  

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