VALDOSTA, Ga.- The Valdosta State volleyball team returns home to host the Halloween "Spooky Game" against West Georgia on Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. Fans are encouraged to wear their costumes to the game to show off their Halloween spirit.
 
The match also marks the fifth event in the 2023-24 Red Clay Rivalry Series between VSU and UWG. The Wolves currently hold a 2.5-1.0 lead over the Blazers after UWG won two points off of men's and women's cross country while getting a half-point for tying with the Blazers in soccer last Friday, 1-1. Meanwhile, Blazer volleyball earned a half-point by beating the Wolves in Carrollton on Sept. 19, 3-1. If the Blazers were to win on Tuesday, VSU would earn another half-point, giving volleyball a full point for the season.
 
Valdosta State is coming off an 0-2 week, dropping a 3-0 decision to Auburn Montgomery before falling to West Florida on the road, 3-1.
 
Valdosta State (15-11, 7-4 GSC) are 11^th nationally and first in the GSC in total attacks (3,636), while the team is 19^th nationally and first in the league in total blocks with 202.5. VSU is also second in the conference in kills (1,186) while also ranking first in the league in attacks per set, averaging 37.10 attacks a clip. The Blazers rank 25^th nationally in digs for best in the GSC (1,577), while the team ranks third in the league in total assists (1,059).
 
Individually, junior Christina Pettigrew is first in the GSC in total blocks with 93 and is ninth in the GSC in points per set at a 3.15 clip. She recently tied for 14^th in school history in total blocks with 199 while ranking 11^th in solo rejections (52). Junior Mackenzie Murray is third in the GSC in total kills (272), while also ranking fifth in the conference in total attacks (760). Junior Jojo Smith ranks sixth in the GSC in total kills with 240 kills while also ranking sixth in total attacks (756). Smith currently ranks 14^th in school history in kills with 856 total kills as a Blazer. Graduate Student Mallory Roney is first in the league and 16^th nationally in-service aces (49) while also being fourth in the GSC in aces per set (0.50). Meanwhile, junior Audrey Bennett is second in the conference in assists with 712 assists for the year. Overall, Bennett ranks 11^th in VSU history in assists with 1034 career assists so far.
 
Entering this week, West Georgia is 11-12 overall and 5-6 in GSC play. The Wolves are currently on a six-game losing streak after losing to West Florida and AUM last weekend. Offensively, UWG is led by a one-two punch in Zoe LaBreche with 296 kills for second best in the GSC as well as Sarah Pipping with an impressive 226 kills. Defensively, Sanai Young is second in the conference in total blocks, just behind Pettigrew, with 91 for the season. The Wolves are 7-3 in the last 10 matchups with the Blazers while VSU has won the last two meetings with UWG including a 3-1 victory over the Wolves this season in Carrollton, Ga.

Following the midweek matchup with West Georgia, Valdosta State will hit the road to face Lee University on Friday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. before taking on Shorter on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. For more information on Valdosta State volleyball, visit vstateblazers.com.