CARROLLTON, Ga.- The Valdosta State volleyball team defeated in-state rival, West Georgia, on the road Tuesday night 3-1 (15-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-18) to open Gulf South Conference play for the season.
 
With the win, the Blazers also took an early lead over the Wolves in the third edition of the Red Clay Rivalry Series where VSU and UWG athletics compete in a variety of sports to determine the Red Clay Rivalry Champion of the year. The VSU volleyball team gained a half-point with the win tonight and will have a chance to clinch a full point when they face off with the Wolves at home on Oct. 31 at 6 p.m.
 
Match Information
Score: VSU 3, UWG 1 (15-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-28)
Records: VSU (8-4, 1-0 GSC), UWG (6-4, 0-1 GSC)
Location: The Coliseum (West Georgia)
 
First Set:
In the first set of the contest, the Blazers were quickly blindsided, getting behind 9-2 at the start of the match. The West Georgia lead continued to grow, building to a 14-3 before the VSU deficit became as steep as 14 points, 19-5. However, the Blazers did not let the score gap discourage them as they continued to fight, going on a staggering 9-0 to pull the matchup within five, 19-14. With Valdosta State chipping away at their lead, West Georgia came together to go on a 6-1 rally to take back the set, winning it by 10, 25-15. For the set, UWG had 14 kills and only three errors, hitting .355  while VSU scored nine kills with four miscues for a .192 percentage.
 
Second Set:
The second set of the match started out favorable for the home squad as West Georgia edged out to a 5-2 lead following a kill by Zoe LaBreche. The Blazers continued to dig deep, pulling out a 10-4 rally to take a 12-9 lead over the Wolves. Valdosta State and West Georgia continued to trade blows down the stretch until the Blazers began to pull away following a kill from sophomore Katie Callenberger to go up five, 20-15. The Wolves scored two more before the Blazers closed out the match with five points as graduate student Mallory Roney "called game" with a decisive kill to win set two, 25-17.
 
Third Set:
With the overall match tied at 1-1, the Blazers continued to use their momentum from the previous set, building an early 6-2 lead following a kill from junior Audrey Bennett. However, the Wolves stormed back, going on a 8-2 run to take a two point lead, 10-8. Valdosta State struck back in explosive fashion, scoring seven straight points on four kills, two service aces and a UWG miscue to take a five point lead in a flash, 15-10. The Wolves continued to inch closer and closer to taking the lead back, coming as close as two points, but were never able to get over the hump as the Blazers took set two to gain match advantage, 25-20.
Fourth Set:
In the fourth set, the Blazers came out ready to end the match, up two sets to one, going on a 7-5 run to kick off the match. However, West Georgia was not ready to let that happen as it went on a 4-0 rally to take a two-point advantage, 9-7. The Wolves and Blazers traded points back and forth until the set was all tied up at 12-12. UWG then broke out a five-point rally to take a notable lead, 17-12. With the Wolves looking to force a fifth set, the Blazers quickly put together a massive rally, outsourcing West Georgia 13-1 to take set four, 25-18. In what was an epic comeback by VSU, the Blazers delivered 10 kills and only three errors (.214) while the Wolves also had 10 kills but suffered four more miscues at seven attack errors. (.151).
 
Inside the Numbers:

 
Up Next:
The Blazers are set to continue GSC play at home this weekend when they host Shorter on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. as well as Lee on Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. For more information regarding those matchups and all things Valdosta State volleyball, visit vstateblazers.com.