ORLANDO, Fla.- The Valdosta State dropped two matches in the second day of the GSC/SSC Regional Crossover. The Blazers first dropped a 3-1 decision to Rollins before falling in the nightcap to Lynn University, 3-0.
 
Following the crossover, VSU holds a 15-9 overall record while Rollins improved to 13-9 and Lynn moved up to 16-6 overall.

Match #1: Valdosta State vs. Rollins
Match Information
Score: Rollins 3, VSU 1 (25-18, 10-25, 23-25, 20-25)
Records: Rollins (13-9), VSU (15-8)
Location: Orlando, Fla. (Game Point Events Center)
 
First Set:
Out of the gate, the Blazers and Tars traded points back and forth to kick off the first set. VSU came out of the early grudge match up 7-6 before Rollins went on a 4-0 run to go up by three, 10-7. The Blazers fought back, attempting to get back into the set, but the Tars continued to counter nearly every attack VSU threw at them. Down 15-12, VSU responded in a big way, out scoring Rollins down the stretch 11-2 as junior Audrey Bennett and junior Mackenzie Murray combined for four kills and a service ace throughout the run. With the Blazers now up 23-17, the Tars scored one more point before VSU closed out the set with a pair of kills, 25-18. Valdosta State hit a staggering .361 for the set with 14 total kills and one error in 36 attempts while Rollins hit .154 on 14 kills and eight miscues on 39 swings.

Second Set:
In the second set, Rollins came out swinging, going up by 9-1 to begin the frame. From there, the Tars didn't let up, out scoring the Blazers 8-4 to go up by 12, 17-5. VSU fought hard to put a run together, stringing together a 3-0 rally before Rollins closed out the set on an 8-2 to take set two, 25-10. The Tars hit .448 for the set with 16 kills and three miscues while the Blazers hit -.129 on four kills and eight errors.

Third Set:
Rollins looked to pick up where they left off in the second set, racing out to a 7-4 lead at the start of set three. The Blazers looked to strike, but Rollins stopped any run VSU attempted to put together. Later in the set with Rollins in front, 17-14, the Blazers struck for five straight points to go up by two, 19-17. However, the Tars caught fire late in set, going on a 7-3 rally to snatch the lead back, 24-22. The Blazers scored one more point in the set, but Rollins closed out the set at 25-23.

Fourth Set:
Much like the previous set, the Tars got out to an early lead in the fourth set, 8-4. VSU struck back, going on a 7-3 run to tie the set up in a flash, 11-11. Rollins answered back with a 4-1 rally to go up by three, but the Blazers struck right back with a 4-0 run to take back the lead, 16-15. Rollins responded swiftly, out scoring VSU 8-2 to take a sizable lead late, 23-28. The Blazers tried to put something together, scoring two uncontested points before the Tars closed out the set, 25-20, to take the match, 3-1.

Inside the Numbers:

Match #2: Valdosta State vs. Lynn
Match Information
Score: Lynn 3, VSU 0 (20-25, 8-25, 8-25)
Records: Lynn (16-6), VSU (15-9)
Location: Orlando, Fla. (Game Point Events Center)
 
First Set:
In the first set, the Fighting Knights got out to a big lead to start the match, going up 10-3 in a hurry. However, the Blazers fought back, pulling within two on a 7-2 run as the set became a tight-knit affair at 12-10. With VSU on the verge of mounting a comeback, Lynn pulled away, going up by five down the stretch, 18-13. VSU continued to not give up, out scoring the Fighting Knights 7-4 to make the set a one-point contest at 21-20. With the Blazers clawing at their lead, the Fighting Knights closed out the set on four straight points to take the first set, 25-20.

Second Set:
At the start of the second set, Lynn took a narrow lead as VSU followed closely behind in the early minutes of the frame, 7-5. Then in a blink of an eye, the Fighting Knights went on an uncontested 10-0 run to go up by 12, 17-5. The Blazers tried to fight back, but the deficit was too much as Lynn closed out the set on an 8-3 run to take set two, 25-8.

Third Set:
Lynn's offense picked up where they left off in the second set, rushing out to a 9-0 lead to kick off the third set. The Blazers fought hard, out scoring the Fighting Knights 6-3 to cut the Lynn lead to six, 12-6. Lynn then went on a massive 10 point rally once again to go up 21-6. The Blazers scored two more points in the contest, but Lynn ended up winning the set, 25-8.

Inside the Numbers:

Up Next:
The Blazers are set to resume Gulf South Conference play Wednesday, Oct. 25 when they host Auburn Montgomery at 6 p.m. in The Complex. For more information on upcoming matchups and everything Valdosta State volleyball, visit vstateblazers.com.