VALDOSTA, Ga.- Valdosta State volleyball senior Christina Pettigrew was named Gulf South Conference Defensive Player of the Week, helping lead the Blazers to a perfect 5-0 record against Auburn Montgomery, Union and Christian Brothers. This marks the first GSC weekly award for both Pettigrew and Valdosta State volleyball this season.
 
Pettigrew was a problem for opposing offenses, leading the Blazers in total blocks with 19 rejections including five solo blocks for 0.95 blocks per set. During the five-set victory against Christian Brothers on Sunday, Pettigrew recorded her 500th career block, reaching both 1000 kills and 500 blocks within a nine-day period. The Copperas Cove, Tex. native also notched 20 digs and four assists while hitting a team-best .384 on 63 kills and eight service aces for 83 total points. Her standout performance came in the 3-2 win over Union on Friday morning where Pettigrew recorded a season-best six blocks including two solo rejections while also putting up 15 kills and a service ace.
 
This season, Pettigrew leads the Blazers on defense with 59 total blocks for .72 blocks per set with a team-best 24 solo rejections. She is currently hitting a team-best .291 with 224 kills for 298.5 points. She also has a team-high 33 service aces, 71 digs and nine assists on the year.
 
Pettigrew and the Blazer volleyball team are facing a key homestand this week when they host GSC-leader, West Florida on Tuesday at 6 p.m. before taking on Montevallo on Friday at 6 p.m. and Alabama Huntsville on Saturday at 7 p.m. For more information on those matchups, visit the volleyball schedule page at vstateblazers.com.