CLEVELAND, Tenn.- The Valdosta State volleyball team got back in the win column Friday evening after sweeping Lee University at Paul Dana Walker Arena, 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-16).
 
Following the road win, VSU improved to 16-12 with a 8-5 mark in the Gulf South Conference while Lee dropped to 15-14 overall and 6-8 in league play.
 
Match Information: Valdosta State at Lee University
Score: VSU 3, Lee 0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-16)
Records: VSU (16-12, 8-5 GSC), Lee (15-14, 6-8 GSC)
Location: Cleveland, Tenn. (Paul Dana Walker Arena)
 
First Set:
At the start of the first set, VSU and Lee traded points back and forth until Lee came out of the early skirmish with a narrow 7-5 lead. The Blazers immediately struck back on a 5-0 rally, capped off by a service ace from freshman Lily Glover to go up by three, 10-7. The Flames responded with a 4-1 run as a kill from Naomi Hockless tied the set up at 11-11. VSU then ran away with the lead, going on a 7-1 run to take a big six-point lead, 18-12. However, Lee battled back on a 7-1 run of its own to tie the set up once again at 19-19. In the final points of the set, VSU capped off the frame with an impressive 6-2 run as sophomore Katie Callenberger delivered the final kill to seal set one for the Blazers, 25-21.
 
Second Set:
Much like the first set, the second set began with the Blazers and Flames trading blows back and forth until the set was knotted up at 7-7. The Blazers ended up taking a one-point lead following a kill from junior Mackenzie Murray and a pair of kills from Callenberger to go up 10-9. Valdosta State continued to build its lead until it held a 15-11 cushion over Lee. Later in the set, the Blazers held a 20-16 lead until the Flames swiftly stuck back on a 4-1 run to bring the set within one at 21-20. In what seemed like a set ending-run, VSU struck for three more consecutive points to force set point at 24-20. However, the Flames looked to end the Blazers run, coming within one of the VSU lead, 24-23, before a Lee attack error gave Valdosta State the set in a nail biter, 25-23.
 
Third Set:
In the third set, the Blazers looked to be clicking on all cylinders, building an 11-6 lead in a flash following a kill from junior Christina Pettigrew. VSU continued to build onto its lead following a quick 4-0 run to go up by nine, 15-6. The Flames cut the lead to four later in the set at 16-12 before the Blazers pulled away on a massive 8-2 run to go up by double-digits, 24-14. Lee scored two more points before the Blazers closed out the set on a kill from Callenberger, 25-16.
 
Inside the Numbers:

Up Next:
VSU will conclude its weekend road trip with an afternoon matchup at Shorter, Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. For more information on Blazer volleyball, visit vstateblazers.com.