VALDOSTA, Ga.- The Valdosta State volleyball team defeated Mississippi College on Friday evening in a thrilling five-set match at the Complex.
 
With the win, VSU improved to 14-6 with a 6-2 mark in the Gulf South Conference while MC fell to 7-9 overall and 6-3 in conference play. The Blazers also improved to 8-1 at home this season.
 
Match Information: Valdosta State vs. Mississippi College
Score: VSU 3, MC 2 (25-18, 25-22, 23-25, 22-25, 15-12)
Records: VSU (14-6, 6-2 GSC) , MC (7-9, 6-3 GSC)
Location: Valdosta, Ga. (The Complex)
 
First Set:
In the opening set of the match, the Choctaws rushed out to a quick 6-0 lead to kick things off. Down six, the Blazers began to battle back, chipping away at the MC lead. With the Choctaws up 9-5, VSU rallied for four-straight points on three MC attack errors and an ace courtesy of junior Audrey Bennett to tie the set up at 9-9. The Blazers and Choctaws traded blows until the set was knotted up at 14-14. Valdosta State took the set over in a flash, out scoring Mississippi College 11-4 down the stretch to close out the frame at 25-18.
 
Second Set:
Much like the first set, Mississippi College raced out to a significant start, going up 8-3 in the early stages of the second set. The Blazers proved once again they could mount a comeback as they rallied for an 8-1 rally to take their first lead of the set, 11-9. The Choctaws took back the lead for a short stint, up 16-15 until the Blazer offense caught fire again, striking for three straight points to take the lead back, 18-16. From there, VSU stepped on the gas and didn't look back as the Choctaws came close, but never took the lead back from the Blazers. Graduate student Mallory Roney ended up closing the set out on a service ace to give Valdosta State set two, 25-22.
 
Third Set:
In the third set, Mississippi College bolted out to an eight-point lead at 14-6 to give the Choctaws their biggest lead of the night. However, the Blazers remained unfazed, battling back to bring the set within two at 17-15 after a 9-3 run. MC struck back with four-straight points before the Blazers tied the set up at 22-22 on a 7-1 rally. Unfortunately for the Blazers, the Choctaws closed out the set on a 3-1 run to force a fourth set, 25-23.
 
Fourth Set:
Unlike previous sets, Valdosta State got out to a hot start, taking a 13-9 lead in the opening moments of the fourth set. Mississippi College continued to strike, staying on the Blazers' heels down the stretch. The Choctaws ended up tying the set up for the first time since 1-1 at 17-17 until the Blazers jumped ahead for two more points, 19-17. MC wasn't down for long, going on a game-changing 7-2 run to force match point in a flash, 24-21. VSU tacked on one more before the Choctaws closed the set out at 25-22.
 
Fifth Set:
With the match tied up at 2-2, the Blazers and Choctaws began the deciding set by trading points back and forth with neither team looking to let up. Down 5-4, VSU went on a 4-0 run to take a quick three-point lead following a kill from sophomore Katie Callenberger. MC stormed back on a 4-1 run to knot the set up at 9-9 before the Blazers and Choctaws began to trade points back and forth again. In the closing moments of the set, things were all tied up at 11-11 before VSU scored two more to go up 13-12. Mississippi College scored a single point out of a timeout before the Blazers closed out the match on a kill from junior Christina Pettigrew and a miscue by the Choctaws to take the final set, 15-12.
 
Inside the Numbers:

Up Next:
VSU has a quick turnaround when it hosts West Alabama on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. for the annual Blazer youth volleyball match. Young fans will have the opportunity to meet and receive autographs from the team following the match and anyone 8th grade and under wearing their club uniform or shirt gains free admission. For live stats, ticket information, streaming and everything VSU volleyball, visit vstateblazers.com.