ROME, Ga. - The Valdosta State volleyball team ended a successful weekend road trip with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-19) win over Shorter Saturday afternoon.
 
Following the road win, VSU improved to 17-12 with a 9-5 mark in the Gulf South Conference while Shorter fell to 6-21 overall and 2-13 in conference play.
 
Match Information: Valdosta State at Shorter University
Score: VSU 3 , Shorter 0 (25-19, 25-19, 25-19)
Records: VSU (17-12, 9-5 GSC), Shorter (6-21, 2-13 GSC)
Location: Rome, Ga. (Winthrop-King Centre)
 
First Set:
The Blazers kicked off the first set of the afternoon by building a six-point lead, 12-6 following a service ace from freshman Lily Glover. VSU continued to keep its foot on the gas down the stretch, narrowly outsourcing the Hawks, 7-6, as the Blazers held a decent lead over Shorter, 19-12. The Hawks went on a 6-2 rally to cut into the VSU lead at 21-18 before the Blazers went on a 3-0 run to put the set on ice at 24-18. Junior Christina Pettigrew ended up sealing the set with a kill to take the opening set for the Blazers at 25-19.
 
Second Set:
Shorter and Valdosta State traded blows back and forth to start the second set, leading to the set being tied at 10-10 in the early minutes of the frame. The Blazers ended up inching ahead on a 4-3 run at 14-13 before VSU added four-more to go up 18-13. Shorters continued to strike, rallying for a 6-2 run to make things interesting at 20-19. However, the Blazers fought off the Hawks and quickly closed out the set on a 5-0 run, winning set two, 25-19.
 
Third Set:
In the third and final set of the afternoon, Valdosta State rushed out to a narrow 7-5 lead to kick off the frame. The Blazers and Hawks then battled back and forth until VSU ended up ahead at 11-10. VSU then went on a 5-1 run to build its largest lead of the set at 16-11 following a Shorter attack error. The Hawks stormed right on back, scoring four uncontested points before the Blazers shot back for five points of their own to build a six point lead, 21-15. However, Shorter wouldn't stay down for long as the Hawks went on one final 4-1 run to come within three of the Valdosta State lead, 22-19. The Blazers then closed out the set on a 3-0 run to win set three, 25-19 to complete the sweep of the Hawks, 3-0.
 
Inside the Numbers:

Up Next:
VSU is set to return home next weekend for its final two games of the regular season, hosting Alabama Huntsville on Friday at 6 p.m. before taking on Montevallo for senior day at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. For more information on Blazer volleyball, visit vstateblazers.com.